The Sindh Social Welfare Department has directed all foreign, national, and community-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the province to prioritize hiring local residents for their ongoing projects.
According to an official communication, the Sindh Social Welfare Secretary Agha Sohail Ahmed instructed commissioners of Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, and Larkana divisions, as well as all deputy commissioners of respective districts, to ensure implementation of the directive.
The provincial government has taken serious notice of the growing practice of NGOs employing people from outside Sindh, rather than providing opportunities to local communities.
It may be noted that foreign NGOs in Pakistan are only allowed to operate with the Interior Ministry’s permission under the 2015 INGO Policy. As of October 2023, there were 114 registered foreign NGOs in the country, while the number of local and community-based NGOs in Sindh alone exceeds 40,000.
The letter, issued under the instructions of Sindh Social Welfare Minister Mir Tariq Talpur, emphasizes that International NGOs (INGOs), local NGOs, and community-based organizations (CBOs) must realign their hiring practices to ensure maximum employment for Sindh’s local population. The move aims to promote community participation, strengthen local ownership of welfare initiatives, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the province.
Commissioners and deputy commissioners have been directed to communicate these instructions to all relevant organizations and monitor compliance. The Social Welfare Department has also advised NGOs to report any concerns or difficulties in implementing the policy so that the matter can be addressed appropriately.
Copies of the letter have been sent to all divisional and deputy directors of the Social Welfare Department, the Principal Secretary to the Sindh Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary’s staff officer, and other relevant authorities.
