Striving for equal

Social Order

Strengthening Civil Society Networks

in Pakistan

Pakistan NGOs’ Forum (PNF)

Project End Report

[July2004-June2006]

By:
Hameed Diplai

Pakistan NGOs Forum (PNF)

Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO)
Pakistan
 Striving for equal
Social Order

Strengthening Civil Society Networks

in Pakistan

Pakistan NGOs’ Forum (PNF)

Project End Report

[July2004-June2006]

By:
Hameed Diplai

Pakistan NGOs Forum (PNF)

Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO)
Pakistan
 Striving for Equal Social Order

A PNF Publication
Author
Hameed Diplai

Pakistan NGO’s Forum (PNF)

Secretariat
3-Mary Cottage, F-2/3, Mary Road
Bath Island Clifton Karachi
Tel: 021-5873405
Email: pnf_secretariat@yahoo.com
Balochistan NGOs Federation Sindh NGOs Federation
(BNGOF) (SNGOF)
C-5 Kabeer Building, Jinnah Bungalow # C-49
Road Quetta G.M.B Colony, Qasim Abad,
Cell: 0303-6183958 Hyderabad
Email: bngof@yahoo.com Tel: 022-2-653319
Email: aakashansari2000@yahoo.com
Sarhad NGOs Itehad (SNI) Punjab NGOs Coordination
A-2, Zeeshan Plaza, Latif Abad Council (PNCC)
Ring Road Peshawar (NWFP) House # 06, Street 01
Tel: 091-241129 Nasir Colony, Lajna Chowk
Email: sninwfp@psh.paknet.com.pk College Road Township Lahore
Tel: 042-5186932
Email: habibs@brain.net.pk
Coalition of Rawalpindi/Islamabad NGOs (CORIN)
7-A, Street 10
F-8/3 Islamabad
Tel: 051- 2282483
Email: naeem.iqbal@sungi.org

www.pnfpk.com

All rights reserved

 Dedication
----------

This report is dedicated to the people

who are committed with marginalized
people of society who do not have
equal access to job opportunities,
right to religious, right to education,
right to health and right to justice.
Special thanks for valuable contribution…

Mr. Harris Khalique Chief Executive Strengthening Participatory

Organization, Mr. Noor Mohammad Bajeer Secretary Pakistan NGOs’
Forum (PNF), Mr. Ellaheen Baloch Senior Coordinator SPO Karachi,
Mr. Rana Shafiq Ul Rehaman Secretary Punjab Coordination Council
(PNCC), Dr. Aakash Ansari Chairpersn Sindh NGOs’ Federation
(SNGOF), Mr. Shakeel Waheedullah Khan Coordiantor Serhad NGOs’
Ittehad (SNI), Mr. Siddique Panezai Coordinator Balochistan NGOs’
Federation (BNGOF), and Mr. Naeem Iqbal Coordiantor Coalition of
Rawalpindi/Islamabad NGOs (CORIN).
Contents of Report….
Introduction
About Report 01
Civil Society in Pakistan 01
Pakistan NGOs Forum 01
Mission 02
Goal 02
Purpose 02
Believes 02
Shifting of PNF Secretariat 04
Revision of external Development Context 05
Accountability and Certification Mechanism 06
Strategic planning Workshop 07
Consultation on Youth Policy 08
Feedback on Youth Policy 08
Internal Review of PNF and its Coalescing Unit 09
Nation Wide Consultation on Provincial Autonomy 10
Campaign against Mega Development Projects 12
Debate on Impact of Mega Projects 12
PNF Convention 2005 14
Progress of Coalescing Units 15
Balochistan NGOs Federation (BNGOF) 15
Sarhad NGOs Ittehad (SNI) 16
Punjab NGOs Coordination Council PNCC) 18
Sindh NGOs Federation (SNGOF) 19
Coalition of Rawalpindi/Islamabad NGOs 21
Role of Coalescing Units in earthquake 23
System of Communication & Publication 24
Yahoo Email Group 24
PNF Newsletter 24
Other Publications 25
Report on Provincial Autonomy 25
Yearly Planner 2006 25
Constitution of SNI 25
Database of Member Organizations 25
PNF Website 25
Documentation 25
Development of Concept Papers 25
NGO-Government & Media Relations 26
Civil Society Campaign to Prevent Damages of
Mega Development Project in Pakistan 26
Exposure Visit of PNF Delegation to India 26
Role of Civil Society in Post-earthquake Situation26
Progress Reports/Minutes/PMF 27
Correspondence/Press Notes 27
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats 28
Acronyms

AF Aurat Foundation
AKF Aga Khan Foundation
BNGOF Balochistan NGOs Federation
CBO Community Based Organizations
CORIN Coalition of Rawalpindi/Islamabad NGOs
EIA Environment Impact Assessment
ESR Education Sector Reforms
HRCP Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
IFIs International Finance Institutes
IT Information Technology
LBOD Left Bank Outfall Drain
MMA Mutehda Muslim Alliance
MPA Member Provincial Assembly
NDP National Drainage Program
NGOs Non Government Organizations
NPO Non Profit Organizations
PCP Pakistan Center for Philanthropy
PMF Performance Measurement Framework
PFF Pakistan Fisher Folk
PNCC Punjab NGOs Coordination Council
PNF Pakistan NGOs Forum
PONM Pakistan Oppressed Nation's Movement
RBOD Right Bank Outfall Drain
SNGOF Sindh NGOs Federation
SNI Serhad NGOs Ittehad
SPO Strengthening Participatory Organization
Introduction:-
About This Report:-
This is the project end report of Pakistan NGOs’ Forum (PNF) on Strengthening
Civil Society Networks. The report highlights the approaches and strategies which
PNF secretariat adopted and evolved during the reporting period to enhance
capacity building of grassroots organizations and advocating real concerns of civil
society on different issues created by state and other exploitative characters of the
society. The report also covers entire activities carried out during the period of
July 2004 to March 2006 including dialogues, seminars, conventions, meetings,
correspondence, press statements and communication system of PNF.

Civil Society in Pakistan:-

Civil society is the range of institutions and organizations that connect people to
government and the private sector. But unfortunately, such a sector in Pakistan is
counting its last breaths. A strong civil society means ensuring a dynamic,
collaborative and beneficial relationship among government, private and non-
profit sectors of society that contributes to the well-being of individual citizens.
But there are no strengthened relations between different aspects. Every
aspect/segment of society moves/breathing alone. Essential social resources for
sustainable livelihood are not easy to get in hand. Academia, lawyers, physicians,
engineers, volunteers and development professionals have hundreds of thousands
of issues and constraints that disturb their work, education and create hindrances
to achieve goals and objectives. The scenario helps to understand that civil society
in Pakistan is counting its breaths. People do not have access to resources,
education has become commodity and health facilities are going to be a
commercial/income generating activities. Drinking water is not pure but it
provided in the form of poison; a mixture of different chemicals which dispose off
from industries. Communities have no voice in decision making process. They
even do not asked in the process of designing and implementation of any
development project in their respective vicinities. They do not have equal access
to job opportunities, right to religious, right to education and right to health and
right to justice. This is the society of Pakistan where a rape victim is said to be
raped to have Canadian visa. In such a society where Government went out of
business and Non-Government Sector moved in to take over the responsibilities to
provide services to general masses who suffer from the unjust and unfair power
structure of federation of Pakistan.

Pakistan NGOs’ Forum:-

It is therefore, Government moved a bill in senate to control over the Non-
Government Organizations (NGOs) and limit their work. This bill created severe
apprehension in society and representatives of NGOs sat together to evolve
strategy to cope with these steps taken by state. Pakistan NGOs’ Forum (PNF) is
the result of joint efforts of development professionals and volunteers from
grassroots organizations. PNF’s mission is to create an enabling environment for
civil society organizations working to foster a democratic, just and liberal society.
The forum consists of five coalescing networks of NGOs from all parts of the
country that includes Balochistan NGOs Federation (BNGOF), Sindh NGOs
Federation (SNGOF), Sarhad NGOs Ittehad (SNI), Punjab NGOs Co-ordination
Council (PNCC) and Coalition of Rawalpindi/Islamabad NGOs (CORIN).

For more than a decade, PNF has been playing a vital role in highlighting social,
political and economic issues faced by the citizens of Pakistan through dialogues.
Since its inception, PNF also stood over against NGO Bill, certification, and other
civil society concerns. Recently, PNF has began to provide a forum to politicians,
social activist, development professionals, volunteers, lawyers, academia,
researchers, writers, and media to make a voice to have sovereignty and
autonomy. PNF also have initiated working to launch a campaign against
environmental damages of mega projects and their negative impact on livelihood.
The participation of local masses in decision making of such mega projects would
also be important element of the campaign.

Provincial Coalescing units of PNF have also an important role to embark upon
the local concerns and issues in respective provinces. They made voice against
attacks on NGOs, violation of human rights, gang rapes, organized district
conventions, and discussed NGO integrity.

Mission:-
Its mission is to create an enabling environment for civil society organizations
working to foster a democratic, just and liberal society.

Goal:-
The overall goal of PNF is to enhance the role of civil society institutions in
gender-sensitive and environment friendly policy making at local, national and
international level through research and advocacy campaigns

Purpose:-
Strengthened Civil Society Networks to take social purposive actions in order to
respond development challenges and issues

Believes:-
Community Level:-
• Setting priorities in accordance with citizens’ development and welfare needs.
• Promoting participatory democracy.
• Ensuring citizens’ centrality in the development process at all levels.
• Promoting respect for citizens’ rights, particularly the rights of women and
children as enshrined in the country’s constitution.
• Making all possible efforts for effective information dissemination, service
delivery and meaningful development interventions.
• Fostering greater collaboration and networking among organizations working
towards common goals.
• Promoting the spirit of voluntarism.
• Devising methodology to include all those people into the planning process of
the programs who are directly involved in them.
• Reviewing the impact of organizations’ programs in collaboration with the
community and honing them in line with the needs of the participating
communities.
• Rethinking organizational mission, methodology and objectives on the basis of
citizens’ needs and the demands thrown up by the changing times.

Organizational level:-
• Ensuring accountability and transparency.
• Ensuring that the objectives and mission of the organizations are clearly
defined and are being pursued by them.
• Holding meetings with full quorum and fulfilling other duties in accordance
with the declared governing rules.
• Framing policies that prevent direct or indirect conflicts of interests between
the staff and the governing body members.
• Keeping the governing body, office bearers and staff from taking decisions that
serve or might be perceived as serving their personal interests.
• The governing body structure should be in writing.
• Providing for smooth lines of communications between the governing body
and the staff.
• In case of an independent board, disallowing board members to seek
employment and facilities in the organizations; making mandatory for them to
resign from the board should they be interested in the aforementioned things.
• Making it obligatory for the governing an independent auditor and
maintaining regular audit reports.
• Ensuring that the governing structure has a good grasp of organizational
matters, that it formulates policies for the organizational at all levels and
accepts its governance responsibilities.
• Making sure that the organization members are acquainted with the programs
being undertaken as well as accounting and governing methods.
• Critically reviewing organizational culture and operational methods to
promote a greater sense of responsibility, innovativeness and respect for
diversity.
• Putting in black and white all policies related to the organizational staff and
volunteers and bringing them in conformity with relevant national legislation,
 Labor Act, etc., to protect the rights of all those associated with the
organizations.
• Taking on appropriate procedures to ensure organizational discipline and
effective settlement of differences that may arise among the workers of the
organizations.
• Written, transparent hiring and firing rules.
• Formulating policies for professional enhancement of volunteers and staff to
enable them to fulfill their obligations in the better way.
• Devising equitable and impartial methods to assess staff’s capabilities,
experiences, education and sense of responsibility.
• Adopting policies that facilitate higher levels of communication and sharing of
ideas among those working for the organization at different levels.

Organizational and Financial Resources:-

• Adopting accredited accounting and auditing procedures including vouchers
and verification system.
• Organizing financial matters on proper lines.
• Appointing trained people to look after financial matters.
• Getting amounts exceeding 100,000 audited annually by a chartered
accountant. Amount less than 100,000 to be approved by an authorized
officer and less than 10,000 to be verified by the executive body.
• Adopting a precise policy guideline for the employees’ loans and benefits,
putting the policy in writing.
• Formulating policies concerning external remuneration and benefits to prevent
dual receipt of salaries etc.
• Adopting cost-effective ways for purchasing goods and hiring services and
preventing such decisions to be influenced by personal interest.
• Organizations should frame realistic budgets and monitor expenses regularly. If
any change in an approved budget is required it should be allowed only after
due consultation with all concerned.
• Taking firm and open action against organization members found guilty of
theft or fraud.
• Seeking to harness diverse sources of funding rather than relying on a single
source.
• Cutting organizational costs down to the minimum possible levels.
• Utilizing funds for the purposes they have been obtained for.
• Drafting accounts in such a way that they are accessible and intelligible to the
members of the organization as well as communities.
• Framing principles at the organizational level that allow for appropriate
utilizing of organizational assets.
• Ensuring proper supervision of staff functioning and timings.
• Reviewing program expenses from time to time and allocating resources
accordingly.
Shifting of PNF Secretariat:-
Pakistan NGOs Forum (PNF) secretariat rotates after each two years in its
coalescing units. The secretariat remained with Punjab for four year and it was
shifted from Punjab to Sindh province in 2004. The provincial coalescing unit,
Sindh NGOs Federation (SNGOF) decided to handover the secretariat to SPO –
Sindh office. Presently, Regional Head – SPO act as secretary to PNF. In July
2004, Shirkat Gah has smoothly transferred secretariat to SPO.

Revision of External Development Context:-

In July 2004, the newly elected leadership of the PNF called a meeting of PNF
Executive Council at Karachi. Representatives of the all members’ networks
participated and revisited the external development context to determine the
priorities. The following are the major points of discussions:

• New local government system is close in nature to the participatory

community development approaches, which engage marginalized groups to
participate in decision-making process of local level. It requires extensive
support to sensitize the roles and responsibilities of the community
representatives. Majority of the 45000 women councilors are illiterate
• The government has taken major steps for Education Sector Reforms (ESR) to
achieve 100% literacy by year 2025. For this purpose, major stakeholders
including civil society organizations and support organizations providing
financial, technical and human resources
• Economic globalization has increased poverty and unemployment. It may
further increase in the years to come. It would further increase in the case of
poor governance by the third world countries.
• The government has introduced legislation for the non-profit organizations
(NPO). After its approval certification of NGOs will be required for different
categories of funds.
• Number of amendments have been proposed by the Parliamentarians
including Hadood Ordinance, Blasphemy etc. for which civil society needs to
sensitized and mobilized for its approval and smooth implementation
• Poverty Alleviation Strategy Paper has been developed by the Government of
Pakistan, which needs to be monitored by the civil society organizations
towards the achievements of results.
• Communication and IT infrastructure has been developed all over the country
and available at affordable prices to public at large. It includes cable channels,
internet, mobile phones etc. which can be used to introduce innovative ideas
for the mobilization and development
• Mega projects have been planned by the government for which local
communities needs to be taken in confidence before their implementation.
Through involving directly civil society, in-depth environment and gender
analysis should be carried out.
• Peace and tolerance issues in south Asia, general and in Pakistan particularly
requires the immediate attention to address them for sustainable development
and prosper future.
• Urban population has been significantly increased during the last decade. Due
to limited resources it has increased Urban Poverty. On the other hand, local
institutions also require support from civil society to sensitize communities to
help them face new challenges e.g. solid waste management, maintaining
infrastructure etc.

In the light of the discussions, the members took following key decisions:

• Although, the interests of the forum are widely varied, it would take direct
action on issues like NGO bill, certification and attacks on NGOs. However,
the forum would only comment on issues like water, globalization and World
Trade Organization. Beside, the forum would work on, foreign policies and
regional peace, NGOs related laws and regulations (PNF may take
campaigning, advocacy and research for this), distribution of national
economic and natural resources, citizen rights and privileges, World Trade
Organization and globalization.
• With regards to the entities having conflicting legal and geographic status, the
forum would consider only those boundaries as valid, which have been
promulgated by the government of Pakistan.
• Two representatives from NGOs of Baltistan would be invited in the next
meeting to discuss their membership with PNF.
• The forum would continue to expand its resource base. All coalition units will
provide estimates of their technical and financial needs so that the forum
secretariat could search for adequate sources.
• The Forum secretariat will facilitate provision of financial and technical
resources to the coalescing partners. Proposals would be forwarded to Aga
Khan Foundation and other donors after consultation. However, coalitions
themselves can access resources for special activities by themselves without
compromising on the forum’s policies of resource mobilization. Members
should be careful in this regard.
• CORIN would strengthen its relations with donors in Islamabad and provide
up-to-date information to PNF secretariat. Coalitions can get information
about donors from PNF secretariat.

Accountability and Certification Mechanism:-

In order to discuss accountability and certification mechanisms for NGOs in the
country, a special meeting of PNF was held on Friday, March 11, 2005 at the
Strengthening Participatory Organization’s office in Islamabad. The meeting was
attended by all coordinators of the PNF coalescing units along with the secretary
and SPO focal persons for respective coalitions.
Keeping in view of the implications of accountability conducted by government or
any other agency, the participants discussed various other options. At the end, it
was proposed that PNF by itself initiate a process of accountability of its members
and devise procedures that would be seen credible by other stakeholders and
taken as sufficient for funding.

The participants listed following areas where PNF would focus for accountability
of its members;

• Audit/Financial Audit
• Democratic culture/elections
• Operational policies/constitutional follow-up
• Adherence to the code of conduct
• Registration/renewal
• Malpractices (kickbacks, commission etc)

Some participants said that coalescing units would need human, financial and
technical resources to be able to certify credibility of their members. They were of
the view that in the present situation, it would be difficult for them to undertake
mass-scale evaluations of partners. Furthermore, how partners NGOs would react
to evaluations conducted by coalescing units of PNF remains to be seen.

Finally, it was agreed that PNF would begin the accountability process from its
own ranks and analyze its coalitions in the light of above-mentioned areas.

Regarding different issues/problems, diversified opinions of participants were

discussed and unanimously decisions (given below) were taken.

Regarding Budget, participants discussed that, as the allocations made in the

budget are not sufficient to carry out activities therefore PNF budget needs to be
reviewed. In this connection it was decided that all coalescing units would submit
and discuss a revised budget at the next executive council meeting to be held on
April 8-10, 2005 in Lahore. It would be prepared in line with the present
budgetary heads. However, the units may suggest reallocations on need basis. The
revised budget would also cater the issue offices and infrastructure of coalescing
members as it was discussed in meeting.

Regarding reimbursement and adjustments, it was decided that Internal Auditor of

SPO would give a presentation at the next executive council meeting to explain
financial audit policies and requirements.
It was shared that some organisations are taking up issues on behalf of the PNF
against their prerogative. In this regard, it was decided that PNF would write a
letter to those organizations who are taking up matters without authorization on
behalf of the institution.

Strategic Planning workshops:-

PNF secretariat conducted two-day strategic planning workshops for SNI, PNCC
and SINGOF in which the members of the working council of the respective
coalescing units reviewed their progress identified strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats. The members revisited the objectives and roles and
responsibilities. A detailed discussion held on the role of networks in civil society.
The each coalescing unit prepared one-year work plan.

Consultation on Youth Policy:-

One of the major events to engage the civil society in policy making was a
consultative workshop organized by PNF in Karachi to review draft of the Youth
Policy on request of the Youth Ministry. During this workshop forty participants
of different development organizations and agencies participated and dialogued
with the Minister.

Feedback on Youth Policy

Youth policy should be viewed and designed in the broader context of peculiar
social complexities in Pakistan. It cannot be seen and addressed in isolation.

Pre-conditions for effective Youth Policy:

• Functional democracy with the rule of law
• Eradication of feudalism (i.e. Land reforms)
• Equal and just distribution of resources
• Promotion of all diverse cultures and languages at all levels
• Provincial autonomy and genuine devolution of power from federal to
provincial and local level

General Comments:
• Vision of document is vague it must be very clear which is a pre
requisite for every realistic social policy
• Lack of identification of problems and priorities
• Root causes of the problems are not mentioned and realized
• The language of the document is also confused and complex
• The approach is mainly urban-issues based; the rural aspects are not
reflected in the policy document
• Inherent self-deceptive approaches should not be amalgamated with
the current policies such as youth policy
• Policy has not designed through a participatory process involving
people from all four provinces and areas (urban and rural).
 Suggestions:
• Political participation of youth in political process must be encouraged
• Budget for education must be increased and be focused on professional
fields to develop the capacity of youth for competition in free job
market
• Centers for information and skills development must be established at
all Taluka level cities in the country
• Scholarships should be given to youth on merit from higher secondary
to higher professional educational levels.
• Small and mid level business loans schemes must be offered and
encourage youth for self-employment and small-scale entrepreneurship
• Small-scale public libraries must be established at all union council
level towns to develop reading habits among youth.
• For healthy social environment sports complexes, playing grounds,
stadiums and public gardens must be established at Taluka level
• Corporate sector must be encouraged to develop capacity-building
institutions for youth especially in backward areas and socially
vulnerable sections of society

In addition, all member-networks conducted meetings in each region on Tsunami

disaster. It was decided to donate one-day salary from organizations of provincial
council members. In this connection, SNI in collaboration with Joint Action
Committee collected funds for the Tsunami victims.

Internal Review of PNF and its Coalescing units:-

Strengthening the Civil Society Networks to develop their vibrant and responsible
role to address development challenges and issues in Pakistan, PNF considered
reviewing and evaluating its structure, objectives, strategy, successes, and failures
to lay the structural, conceptual and strategic foundation of future work.
Participants of workshop went through the vision of PNF, discussed the desired
and required target image of PNF and gaps between the vision and target image.
They also discussed that how the vision could be translated into target image.
Previous failures and achievements were discussed in strategic context of PNF. In
this connection, it was discussed that how the successes could be maximized and
gaps could be filled through a participatory democratic process. Participants
stressed upon developing a single and uniform target image to set the directions of
PNF initiatives. Entire discussion facilitated to learned lesions from the review and
set out recommendations for future strategy and direction for PNF initiatives and
endeavors.
Objectives:-
The workshop was aimed to review the strategy and approaches of PNF and
develop guidelines for the next year. It was aimed that the review workshop
would support to evolve a strategy and develop mechanism to make the Pakistan
NGO Forum more effective.
Methodology:-
This was a one-day exercise, conducted through individual responses, group work
with concrete suggestions, plenary discussions and meta-planning (cards exercise).
During the review workshop participants were given colorful cards with concrete
questions and after responding the questions on cards, many plenary discussions
were conducted. At the end of the one-day review, all the participants shared
their feedback on the whole exercise and recommended various tasks for the next
year.
Guidelines and priorities:-
• Quarterly meetings should be conducted on regular basis
• Financial support should be released on time
• Agenda minutes should be circulated before any meeting
• Develop linkages with NGOs and CBOs
• PNF should focus on specific issues
• PNF should review its plan of action and activities
• PNF should learn from its past mistakes and critical experiences
• Target image must be developed
• To develop a mechanism to make possible the implementation on decisions
• PNF should focus to increase its membership.
• Develop NGO directory
• Evolve strategy on water issue
• Communication with previous secretariats. Previous secretariats must be
invited in PNF executive meetings
• Removal of ambiguities
• Capacity building of coalescing units
• Resolution of internal issues/conflicts of PNF
• Everything must be documented (Spoken words are silver but written words
are Golden)
• Focus on improving the internal management
• Mistakes have been identified, now during next year paper work should be
completed
Nationwide Consultation on Provincial Autonomy:-
For more than a decade, PNF has been playing a vital role in highlighting social,
political and economic issues faced by the citizens of Pakistan through dialogues.
The issue of provincial autonomy has been a constant feature of socio-political
discourse in the country with varying opinions and point of views. People of
Pakistan, especially from smaller provinces are demanding wider and deeper
autonomy since long but the matter still stands unresolved. On the other hand, it
has become a source of conflict between inter and intra-state mechanisms which is
impacting upon every sphere of public life.

In order to gain an in-depth understanding of the perception and realities of civil

society regarding provincial autonomy, PNF organized a series of consultative
dialogues with representatives of the civil society. Six dialogues were held in
Quetta, Karachi, Multan, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar from June 8, 2005 to
July 10, 2005 in collaboration with the provincial coalitions of PNF. A large
number of opinion makers, writers, journalists, development professionals,
lawyers, politicians, social activists, technocrats, academics, and researchers
participated in these dialogues and shared their views, opinion and suggestions.

The dialogues were successful in collecting voices on provincial autonomy from all
provinces. The diversity of opinions and maturity of the discussion has added
more credibility to the process. Although, there was a difference of views among
provinces with specific context, there were many common parallels as well.
Provinces have different policy positions in certain areas but there was an almost
universal consensus on the dynamics of politics, democracy and the crises of
confidence in polity. Following are some of the demands and recommendations
given by the participation of the dialogues.

• The issue of provincial autonomy should be resolved on the basis of 1940

Pakistan Resolution.
• Pakistan must be made a representative, federal democratic state with equal
representation of all provinces in federal structure and decision-making bodies.
• As proposed in the 1973 constitution, concurrent list must be abolished.
• Except defense, foreign policy, and currency, the federal government should
hand over all other subjects to the provinces.
• Constitutional reforms must be carried out through elected representatives
with equal participation from the provinces.
• Council of common interests must be functional and redesigned
• Senate should be delegated more and decisive powers as supreme national
body for all federal strategic, political and economic decisions.
• Direct or indirect interference of any federal agency/government and
establishment must be stopped in formation of provincial governments.
• National Security Council is an extra-constitutional body, which must be
abolished.
• NFC award should be made on the basis of revenue generation, resource
protection, scale of poverty, level of human development and past injustices.
• The provincial governments will sign all contract with multi-national
companies for oil, gas and other natural resources exploration after approvals
from provincial assemblies.
• Control on natural and fiscal resources including taxation powers should be
given to the provinces.
• In case of control of federal government on oil, gas and other natural
resources production at least 50% of the profits must be given to that
respective province as royalty.
• Funds generated through privatization of provincial industries/institutions
should be given to the provinces where the units existed where as for federal
institutions 80% of the capital should be equally distributed among all the
provinces and 20% should rest the federal government.
• Recruitment in armed forces, state-owned corporations, public sector industries
etc should be made on merit with population and quota allocations.
• Local people should be recruited in paramilitary forces - i. e. the Rangers,
Frontier Constabulary, etc.
• All nationalities must be recognized in the constitution.
• All indigenous languages like Punjabi, Sindhi, Pushto, Balochi, Siraiki, Hindko,
Brahvi, etc should be given the status of national languages of Pakistan.
• Political parties must include more elaborate agenda of provincial autonomy in
their manifestos.
• Civil society should be strengthened as it would keep a watchful eye on
political parties on the one hand, and would educate the masses on their rights
on the other.
• There must be an all parties’ conference by PNF at national level to discuss
ways and means to resolve the issue.

Campaign against mega development projects:-

Many mega projects are going to be launched in Pakistan particularly in Sindh and
Balochistan. These mega developments have many environmental impacts on
human lives and geography. Before initiating these development projects,
Government and International Funding Agencies ignored to conduct
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and this caused to increase poverty rather
than evaluate it. The violation of agreement also observed during project
implementation, like rehabilitation and compensation of damages to displaced
masses.

In mentioned above situation, PNF decided to launch a campaign against

violation and damages of Mega development Projects. In this regard, PNF
planned to meet with development professionals, politicians, scholars,
educationists, and journalists to collect their views and opinions regarding role of
civil society to prevent the damages of Mega projects in Pakistan. This type of
dialogues would be organised at national and provincial level.

In this connection, during reporting period, PNF Secretary visited all major cities
of Pakistan to meet with development professional, opinion makers, lawyers,
writers, academia, media and other civil society stakeholder. The objective of
meeting was to collect opinion on development of mega projects. In this
connection, PNF Secretaries also met with Provincial secretaries of Planning &
Development and Social Welfare Departments. Meetings with individual were
also organized in all respective major cities i.e. Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar,
Islamabad, Lahore, and Multan. The visits resulted in development of a concept
paper regarding launching of a campaign against negative impact of development
projects on environment and to ensure the community participation in decision
making of such development projects that are funded by international funding
agencies including World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the Federal
Government of Pakistan.

Debate on Impact of Mega Projects:-

A debate on Role of Civil Society to Protect Damages of Mega Projects in Pakistan
organized in Hyderabad. The debate was attended by Hyderabad based lawyers,
academia, development professionals, writers, politicians, and activist.

Discussion initiated with comments that Federal Government of Pakistan and

international financing institutes are entering in mega projects like National
Drainage Project (NDP), Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD), Left Bank outfall Drain
(LBOD), Dams and roads etc. All participants were agreed that these agreements
are caused to increase poverty rather than decrease it. The violation of agreement
also observed taking place during project implementation. Like rehabilitation and
compensation of damages to displaced masses.

The main points of discussion were:-

• Comprehensive data should be collected regarding Mega projects (current and
coming). The data should cover the detail of project, its objectives, current
status, total cost, damages, and impact on social, cultural and economical
values
• Parties must be identified. Whom PNF has to hold dialogues?
• Meetings and dialogue with international finance providers and share concerns
• Must be developed a pressure on such issue
• Need to set apart the watchdog forum and people should be invited from civil
society organisations.
• It is necessary to identify who would be motivate and who would be
pressurised
• Meetings should be arranged with different NGOs working in the areas of
Mega Projects (Like TRDP in Thar for Thar coalfield)
• Need to focus more on local officials who are affiliated with international
financing agencies. They are involved in kickbacks and default of designing of
Mega Projects
• Need to focus on propaganda, advocacy, awareness and publication.
• Public Interest Legitimacy should be translated into local languages
• Need to focus on legal aspects
• Negative and positive impacts of Mega Projects should be analysed
• Also need to analyse the time of coal exploration. Is this suitable/appropriate
time to explore the coal? Its need to explore these coalfield after 50-60 years
• Need to classify the Mega Projects i.e. International Financing Institutes (IFIs)
and Government Funded projects. Federal Government of Pakistan funded
Mega Projects should also be focused in campaign like currently Government
has allotted 1,000 acres land in Thar for construction of cantonment. It must
be decided that which Mega projects will be included in campaign.
• Coalescing units of PNF must be re-activated and re-organised
• All Mega Projects must be enlisted with details of features
• Need to point out the external funding mechanisms.
• Need to point out the role of IFIs
• Need to develop a strategy regarding lack of information
• Need to focus Education and Health along with Mega Projects
• The first step of campaign should be “Information for all”
• Establish an information cell in PNF secretariat
• All Mega Projects funded by Government, IFIs and International Corporate
Sector like oil and Gas companies should be included in campaign.
• Identify and mobilise potential/expertise of individuals
• Focus on lobbying with electronic and print media
• Identify and point out steps for legal efforts and street struggle
• Arrange visits of sites

PNF Convention 2005:-

During the reporting period, CORIN organized PNF Convention 2005 on
December 29, 2005 in Islamabad. The convention was attended by more than
500 delegates from all over Pakistan. In this regard, all coalescing units took active
part and sent their nominations to PNF secretariat. Provincial networks arranged
transportation for their participants and CORIN was responsible for lodging &
boarding arrangements. The convention was one day task and it followed by
presentations. All provincial networks highlighted their major concerns on mega
projects in respective province.

The slogan of convention was “Rights of Indigenous People on Local Resources”.

Some 450 participants from overall country attended the convention and
expressed their opinion and views. During the convention, all provincial networks
presented their major concerns over mega projects. Sindh NGOs Federation
(SNGOF) highlighted the “Role of Corporate Sector in Oil & Gas Fields in Sindh”,
Punjab NGOs Coordination Council (PNCC) focused on “State, Agriculture and
Small Farmers”, Serhad NGOs Ittehad (SNI) enlightened “People Rights on Water,
Forests, and Electricity”. Balochistan NGOs Federation (BNGOF) presented
“Gawadar Port and Rights of Local People whereas Coalition of
Rawalpindi/Islamabad NGOs (CORIN) highlighted Environmental Impact of New
Muree Project on Local People”. The convention followed by question answer
session and theater performance. Participants also discussed future strategy of PNF
and they unanimously passed some resolutions on major concerns.

Following are some of the resolutions and recommendations given by the

participation of the PNF convention 2005.

• Forum agreed that rising of Kalabagh dam issue by Government (and such type
of other water issues) is meant to divert peoples’ attention from affects of
recent earthquake and weak stance of state to mitigate the worst situation of
earthquake. Forum demands to put a sight on disputed project in favor of
common interest of general Public of Pakistan and do not initiate any project
which even is not accepted by single province.
• Forum demands to stop bombing and military operations in Balochistan and
resolve their political and democratic demands through dialogues.
• Forum demands that all type of natural resource in all provinces like Oil, Coal,
Gas, Granite, Forests etc must be determined through unanimously and
democratically accepted formulas which give economic rights and royalty of
provinces to local representative governments.
• This convention condemns the role and exploitive attitude of multinational
corporations like British Petroleum in Badin and demands to protect resources
and employment of local people.
• Pakistan NGOs Forum supports all movements which are struggling in favor of
local people to have command over rights, identity and resources.
• This convention points out that without any consideration handing over of
significant natural assets to multinationals and to deprive local communities
from their historical rights is step forward to an immature and insecure future.
• Forum demands to take concrete steps regarding provincial autonomy which
gives provinces complete authority and command over health, education and
development project.
• Pakistan NGOs Forum demands that all ethnical, religious and national
minorities must be given complete democratic, religious and intellectual
freedom.
Progress of Coalescing Units:-
PNF as an institution comprises of five members as following:

BNGOF: Balochistan NGO Federation

SNI: Sarhad NGO Ittehad
PNCC: Pakistan NGO Coordination Council
SNGOF: Sindh NGO Federation
CORIN: Coalition of Rawalpindi-Islamabad NGOs

Balochistan NGOs’ Federation (BNGOF):-

• The major focus of the provincial network of Balochistan was to build the
capacity of 150 members through trainings in different programme planning
and management areas. The network secretariat has engaged IUCN to discuss
prospects of an advocacy campaign about alarming water scarcity in the
province.

• BNGOF mainly focused on developing networks of the member organizations

with Takhleeq Foundation and Aurat Foundation.

• BNGOF actively took part to initiate a debate on “NGO Accountability and

Relations with Government, Media and other Stakeholders”. BNGOF also
focused on Gawadar Issue by organizing round table dialogue.

• BNGOF organized its working council meeting on regular basis during the
reporting period.

• BNGOF organized an all party’s dialogue on GAWADER PORT issue. Dialogue

was attended by all stakeholders of civil society including politicians, social
workers, lawyers, educationist, students, and representatives of international
organizations, CBOs, NGOs, and human rights commission.

• Regarding amendment in constitution, BNGOF drafted an amended version of

constitution which was proposed to be presented in provincial council for
approval.

• One day District Conventions conducted in 17 Districts which were attended

by 40 member organizations in each district. During convention, election
process also held in district chapters. Besides, elections, participants discussed
local issues of NGOs and CBOs and highlighted their concerns about mega
projects and their impacts on environment.

Sarhad NGOs’ Ittehad (SNI)

• In addition to regular meetings of Working Council of the network, Sarhad
NGO Ittehad acquired Donors’ Directories from AKF and distributed to
members on discounted price. The network encouraged other district level
networks to organize self-initiated events. The secretariat offered its moral
support to local artists who are facing problems and threats from religious
elements.

• Protest meeting held to condemn attack on AKF offices in Chitral and other
NGOs in NWFP that was attended by more than 250 people

• SNI amended its constitution which encouraged the participation of women

and non-Muslim minorities in working council of SNI. 4000 copies of
amended constitution of SNI printed and circulated among member
organizations

• SNI initiated relief activities for flood victims and ensure proper distribution of
relief items. SNI also organized a music show in collaboration with Radio
Pakistan to raise funds for tsunami victims and collected Rs. 30,000 rupees
which deposited in the account of Radio Pakistan. SNI also actively
participated in strikes called by MMA and PONM (Pakistan Oppressed
Nation’s Moment) against inflation.

• During the reporting period, all coalescing members took up local issues like
SNI took stand on news item that NWFP Government banned the
organizations, which are working in schools on advocacy and awareness. SNI
kept the issue on Internet and made correspondence with Government
Education Department and other officials but Government Officials repudiated
such news item and SNI dispatched such repudiation to newspaper for
publication.

• Regarding conflict in District Dir, SNI has formed a facts finding committee to
resolve the issue between Civil Society organizations in District Dir.

• Blue Venus (an organization) selected on one of the vacant seat of the working
council of SNI.

• According to a decision of working council, SNI made correspondence with

UNDP regarding their requirement of certification.

• SNI launched a hunger strike for gaining attention of UNHCR on the effectees
living in camps and drafted a letter to its head office. A press note was also
released on humiliation of holy Quran.
• SNI hold a Joint press conference with SUNGI development foundation to
condemn the act by which women folk banned to participate in local election
2005 in Districts Batgrama and Kohistan. As a result some 77 women in
respective areas submitted their nomination forms

• SNI formed two members committee to assess donor funding in NWFP. The
objective of assessment is to analyze the reasons he donors are pulling out
from province.
• District convention conducted in five districts in Hazara region. These
conventions facilitated bringing out the basic issues and problems of CBOs.
These conventions were organized with the support of Social Welfare Officers
and all organizations in respective areas were invited to attend the convention.
This supported to communicate SNI message at large.

• Some unknown people in District Swabi accused a non-Muslim family and

attacked on temple in district Noshera. SNI condemned such acts and formed a
facts finding committee to assess and analyze the situation.

Punjab NGO Coordination Council (PNCC)

• The PNCC has facilitated elections in Sialkot and Rawalpindi districts. They
have also initiated Tahsil level networks of the PNCC members’ organizations
in order to establish strong grassroots linkages with civil society of Punjab at
large. This process has been completed in 28 Tahsils of Punjab and remaining
networks will be set up by June 2005. In order to further strengthened
linkages with local media, the provincial Secretariat of Punjab has established a
media-cell.

• Keeping in view of the need to engage the wide range of civil society in
Pakistan, PNCC continued to expand its membership during the reporting
period. The membership process has been completed in 65 Tahsils and eight
district networks have been formed to create more effective linkages between
CBOs and PNCC at local level.

• The PNCC have organized regular meetings and PNF secretary attended one
of the meetings. For ensuring the more participation of CBOs in Punjab NGO
Coordination Council, PNCC is in process to shift strategy downward from
District to Tahsil level in order to establish strong grassroots linkages with civil
society of Punjab at large. Membership has been completed in 65 Tahsils and
08 networks have been formed. PNCC has formulated an assessment
committee who has made responsible to ensure the implementation on
bylaws. PNCC has received an invitation from Jalandhar Formers
Cooperatives to visit Indian Punjab. In this regard, PNCC is visiting Indian
Punjab in May 2005 with a diversified delegation comprising NGOs
representatives, Journalists, Advocates, Retired Civil servants, and different
 technocrats. The visit aimed to compare the developmental approaches
between east and west Punjab. Besides, PNCC has started a research regarding
civil society organizations and NGOs.

• In Punjab, Provincial Advisory Council has been formed by PNCC to resolve

inter organizational conflicts. PNF Secretary Chairs the Provincial Advisory
Council.

• PNCC organized two provincial council meetings and one of them was
attended by PNF Secretary. In the meetings, a provincial advisory council was
formed which would be chaired by PNF Secretary. The objective of this
council is to resolve and keep an eye on inter organizational conflicts. It was
also decided in the provincial council meeting that if any office bearer would
not attend three meetings continuously, his/her membership would be
cancelled, the organisatin will than again have to renew the membership as per
PNCC constitution.

• PNCC has received nominations/applications from SPO,Aurat Foundation, ASR

Resource center and Karitas for the reserved seats of provincial council.
Elections for said seats are planned after local government poll and also
elections for the seat of Finance Secretary would take place after local
government elections.

• Regarding flood situation, PNCC facilitated and played a role of bridge

between local CBOs and Islamabad based NGOs. It resulted in development of
linkages. PNCC also provided lists of flood-hit areas to Oxfam, ActionAid
Pakistan, and CRS.

• Draft constitution of PNCC has been drafted and membership is increasing

with the formation of networks at tehsil level. PNCC has finalized the work
plan for district convention in 34 districts.

• Aurat Foundation selected PNCC as member for its CCWR project and PNCC
coordinators selected for its district chapters of Project. The project is being
implemented in 20 districts by AF.

• PNCC has completed formation of Tehsil networks in 14 Districts. By this

membership has been reached up to 1185. PNCC also has set up mechanism for
election at tehsil level. According to this mechanism, formulation of at least 10
organizations in a tehsil is necessary for holding elections.

• Regarding four reserved seats for NGOs in provincial council, PNCC received
four applications from Aurat Foundation, ASR Resource center, Sudhar and
 Karitas and all four organizations were selected on reserved seats in provincial
council of PNCC.

• During the reporting period, Provincial Advisory Council of PNCC remained

engaged in resolving inter-organizational conflicts of NGOs and CBOs.

Sindh NGOs’ Federation (SNGOF)

• Sindh NGO Federation conducted a Provincial level Convention successfully.

• SNGOF took up local issues like protection of rights of the fishermen and Left
Bank Outfall Drainage project. In result, a project is redesigned to save local
people from negative impacts

• SNGOF successfully mobilized the civil society of both rural and urban Sindh
on multi-dimensional issues negatively affecting the sustainable development.
It included the protest against Kalabagh Dam, Thal Kanal, Master Drainage
Program and the role of military operations in Balochistan. It has also
developed the database of 180 members’ organizations.

• Sindh NGO Federation demonstrated to protest against Kalabagh Dam, Thal

Kanal, Master Drainage Program, Dr. Shazia Case, and military operation in
Baloachistan. SNGOF completed preparing database of 180 member
organizations. Commemorated the Health, Water, and Kashmir days with
District Government and organized 4 seminars and 1 workshop against division
of Hyderabad District. BNGOF facilitated 22 member organizations in
developing networks with Takhleeq Foundation and Aurat Foundation.

• SNGOF took stand against division of Hyderabad District and organized

seminars and workshops with different stakeholders including political and
religion parties, trade unions and businessmen. Dr. Shazia case also focused in
different regions of province Sindh. SNGOF also highlight the issue like
protection of rights of the fishermen and Left Bank Outfall Drainage projects.

• In relation to getting proper share in employment, royalty and basic facilities,

SNGOF has launched a campaign against 13 multi national companies. In this
regard, SNGOF have organized 12 demonstrations and token hunger strike at
Khaskhely oil field of British Petroleum, Press Club Karachi, Hyderabad, and
Tando Jam. SNGOF also took part in voter education campaign to educate
general masses in forth coming Local Body Elections.

• SNGOF organized two district conventions at Hyderabad and Badin. PNF

Secretary attended both events. Participants of both events discussed the
injustice and ignorance of areas in term of sustainable development by
 multinational companies and negative impacts of mega projects on
environment.

• In relation to getting proper share in employment, royalty and basic facilities,

SNGOF has launched a campaign against 13 multi national companies. In this
regard, SNGOF organized 12 demonstrations and token hunger strike at
Khaskhely oil field of British Petroleum, Press Club Karachi, Hyderabad, and
Tando Jam.

• SNGOF also took part in voter education campaign to educate general masses
in Local Body Elections and organized 05 events in District Hyderabad and
Tando-Allahyar.

• SNGOF staged token hunger strikes on basic human rights in collaboration

with Action Aid and one against the illegal arrest of Mr. Zahid Bhurguri MPA
Sindh Assembly and Mr. Ghulam Qadir Chandio MPA Sindh Assembly and
Member of Executive council of Sachal Sami Welfare Association. SNGOF also
hold token hunger strike against issuance of National Identity Cards to illegal
immigrants i.e. Behari, Bangali, Bermi and others.

• SNGOF demonstrated a protest in collaboration with Pakistan Fisher folk

Forum (PFF) against illegal arrest of Mr. Mohammad Ali Shah president PFF.

• During the reporting period, SNGOF coordinated with different networks to

strengthen the civil society networks. This resulted in an increase in
membership up to 303 members.

• A one-day seminar on Good Governance was organized by SNGOF. SNGOF

delivered a lecture on protection of villages from mafia at Hyderabad.

• SNGOF in collaboration with World Sindhi institute and World Sindhi

Congress staged protest in London in connection with getting proper share in
employment, royalty and basic facilities.

• Regarding capacity building of member organizations, SNGOF facilitated and

arranged training events for its 35 member organization. SNGOF also
organized two events on Local Government Elections and its affects with 40
member organizations. Some 30 Lady Councilors and 50 General Councilors
of SNGOF member organizations elected in recent Local Government
Elections.

Coalition of Rawalpindi-Islamabad NGOs (CORIN)

• In addition, the constitution has been reviewed and revised and membership
fee is increased to Rs. 1,000/year.
• In addition to celebrating Women’s Day, two other activities were undertaken
by the CORIN including protest on Mukhtiaran Mai case (sexually victimized
by a tribe in south Punjab), rally on Dr. Shazia case (raped by a military officer
in SSGL, Balochistan).

• CORIN released a press note to condemn about attack on AKF offices in

Chitral

• Secretary of CORIN represented in PCP consultation on “Promotion of

Philanthropy in Pakistan”

• CORIN commemorated National Women’s Day on February 12, 2005 by

organizing a seminar jointly with other groups. They also organized a seminar
and rally on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2005.
CORIN held a demonstration on Iraq war in Rawalpindi, protest on
Mukhtiaran Mai case, and organized rally on Dr. Shazia case. CORIN
organized a reference for Ms. Shehla Zia. In addition, CORIN have developed
a PNF membership form and shared in regular meeting. CORIN prepared
concept of retreat/shared visioning exercise.

• CORIN held a demonstration to protest on Mukhtiaran Mai, Dr. Shazia case,

and against Iraq war.

• CORIN held a press conference to raise voice against Margala Hills Tunnel
Project. Many other activities were carried out by CORIN including fund
raising, blood donation, press conference and press release regarding burn case
of Ms. Fozia and meetings to discuss the current situation of NGO-
Government relations in Pakistan. In this regard, a consultative dialogue on
NGO-Government relationship & NGO-Civil Society Discourse also organized
by CORIN

• CORIN hold a press conference and released a press note on Ms. Fozia burn
case. Regarding this case, CORIN organized a meeting and arranged blood
donation for the burn victim.

• Regarding Margalla Hills Tunnel Project, CORIN held a press conference and
arranged a walk to raise their concern on the project and the environmental
issue liked with this project.

• CORIN also organized a meeting to discuss PNF’s reaction on Mushraf’s

statement on NGOs. In follow up of this, in collaboration with SPO, CORIN
organized a meeting to discuss the current situation of NGO-Government
relations in Pakistan and arranged a consultative dialogue on NGO-
 Government relationship & NGO-Civil Society Discourse at Envoy Continental.
CORIN organized a retreat for its member organization to develop an
understating and made clear the concepts of civil society networks. CORIN
also had a meeting with AKF-Pakistan to discuss the capacity building
component for PNF and its coalescing units.

• CORIN is planning to organize a consultative conference on NGO-

Government relation and NGO-Civil Society Discourse at national level.
CORIN is also planning to design and hold capacity building program for PNF
coalescing units in collaboration with AKF-P. Exposure visit to indigenous
minorities of Indus on river Indus, downstream Chashma Barrage, to see Kihals
with flood in Indus and election for shifting the CORIN secretariat is also
planned.

• CORIN organized a “Riding for Education Campaign”. The objective of

campaign was to sensitize people of Pakistan and India regarding education.
An Englishman collected on Lac pound sterling through charity and started
riding on horse in said countries to aware people regarding education. CORIN
organized entire riding in Pakistan.

• CORIN is responsible for publication of PNF Khabarnama (PNF newsletter)

and manage yahoo email group of PNF. In this regard, CORIN edited and
compiled recent edition of PNF Khbarnama (PNF Newsletter) and posted 30-
40 messages of net users on yahoo email group of PNF after appraising and
understanding of such messages.

• Regarding flood situation in Dera Ghazi Khan, CORIN drafted an appeal and
circulated in Islamabad based NGOs and international donor agencies.

• During the reporting period, CORIN started election process and set a criterion
for regarding taking part in election.

Role of coalescing units in earthquake

All developed and develop less countries are helpless against forces of nature.
There is chain of disasters like tsunami in Indonesia and Thailand , hurricane
Katrina and Rita in America and now mountain tsunami in Pakistan which created
havoc in capital city Islamabad, Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control,
Northern areas, NWFP, Punjab on both sides of the border, and other adjoining
areas. A terrible and massive earthquake severely hit Pakistan early Saturday
October 8, 2005. Due to this horrible mishap, hundreds of thousands people lost
their lives and millions are still in critical condition. Hundreds of families are
trapped in collapsed houses and lost their breaths under heavy debris. Many were
helpless to sleep outside their destroyed homes in chilly weather. Many historic
villages wiped out and beautiful homes, buildings and cities turned into
graveyards and ruins.

Rescue operation and massive relief operation went under way and people from
all over the parts of country donated with open heart and demonstrated solidarity
with victims of severe earthquake. Alongside state mobilized relief funds, many
non-government and non-profit organizations, networks, welfare trusts, political
and religious parties, nationalists, NGOs, individuals and other professional and
volunteer bodies of civil society initiated to actively participate in this noble cause
and joined hands with victims by collecting donations and contributions from
over all country. It was observed that citizens from over all Pakistan donated
generously without any difference of caste, class and religious and many youths
registered their names for relief work at affected sites.

In this connection, provincial networks of Pakistan NGOs’ Forum (PNF) also

initiated relief operation in earthquake areas and established relief camps to
mobilize donations and contributions.

In wake of the disaster resulting from the earthquake, all coalescing units
established relief camps to collect relief goods for earthquake victims. SNGOF
collected goods from Hyderabad, Thatta, and Badin and transported the goods to
earthquake-affected areas through SPO Sindh Region. BNGOF also collected relief
goods of millions and distributed through SNI in affected areas of NWFP. SNI
focused on resource mobilization and collected contribution of Rs. 48,000 from
its District chapters. SNI also collected relief goods of Rs. 8.9 millions. PNCC
collected and distributed Rs. 15 million in cash, 125 tents, and transported 15
trucks of different relief goods. PNCC have designed a model of tent house which
has separate kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms of size of 12X12. Expenses on
model tent house are estimated Rs. 150,000. CORIN also contributed a lot in
form of relief goods and tents. They transported 13 trucks of 7000 Kg flour and
2500 tents. Secretariat office of CORIN represented NGOs in International
Donors Conference in Islamabad in connection with relief and rehabilitation
process in earthquake affected areas of NWFP and Azad Jamu & Kashmir.

System of Communication & Publication

Email group on Yahoo

PNF Secretariat and its coalescing networks set up another advance and effective
mode of the communication among development agencies and civil society
organizations which was yahoo email group entitled “pakistan_ngo_forum, sni
and pncc_punjab”. Some 130-140 messages used to post on these yahoo email
group of PNF, PNCC and SNI which ensured proper flow of information to civil
society and other development agencies.
PNF Newsletter
PNF has published three issues of the newsletter i.e. January-March 2005, July-
September 2005 and October-December 2005. The editorials of newsletter were
about disasters resulting from earthquake in Pakistan and tsunami. Newsletters
also highlighted different activities of coalescing units and PNF Secretariat.
Interviews and concerns of coalescing networks’ coordinators and PNF Secretary
published in newsletters. Some articles were also published which provided a rich
amount of organizational knowledge to grassroots organizations.

Other Publications
Report on Provincial Autonomy: PNF also published a comprehensive report
on series of dialogues on Provincial Autonomy. The report covered entire
proceedings and conclusion of series.

Yearly Planner 2006: During the PNF Convention 2005, a yearly planner for
2006 published with slogan of PNF Convention 2005 “Rights of Indigenous
People on Local Resources”.

Constitution of SNI: One of the coalescing partners of PNF, Serhad NGOs

Ittehad (SNI), amended its constitution and printed 4000 copies. Printed version
of constitution covered history of SNI, profiles of present and previous
coordinators and secretariat offices, election mechanism and network organ gram.
Constitution circulated among member organizations of SNI.

Database of Member Organizations:

A database format was designed in connection with gathering of information
relevant with member organization of coalescing units. All coalescing networks
started compiling database format in district conventions in respective districts and
uploading of same format on PNF Website was decided to provide online access
to organization to become members in respective provincial networks.

PNF website:
During the reporting period, PNF secretariat went into an agreement with
freelance consultant regarding developing material for website. In this regard, PNF
Secretariat contacted all provincial networks and collected all relevant information
and provided to consultant. Consultant, in this regard, visited demo and suggested
some important links on home page of website. PNF website is capturing all
relevant information about creation of PNF, its coalescing units, PNF publications
and photo gallery. Link of directory of support organizations also developed on
home page. In this regard, PNF secretariat was granted permission from NGORC
to keep NGORC online directories on its home page. Cyber dialogue is one of
aspect of PNF website where visitors would have opportunity to be part of online
discussion on different social concerns relevant with civil society. The URL of PNF
website is www.pnfpk.com

Documentation
Development of Concept papers
During the reporting period, PNF secretariat developed many concept papers to
strengthen the civil society networks and to develop close linkages with other civil
society organizations.

Concept Paper: NGO-Government and Media Relations

The concept paper was aimed to develop working relations with state personnel
and Media representatives as an image of NGOs could be built. This concept
paper also described that development of relation would support to highlight
practical approaches in line with addressing the issues at grassroots level.

Concept paper: Civil Society Campaign to Prevent Damages of Mega

Development Project in Pakistan
The concept paper was aimed at development of vibrant and responsible role of
civil society on public issues, Integrate all random and scattered efforts of various
quarters of civil society on this issue in uniform direction with collective one voice,
Initiate dialogue with IFIs to influence their financial support policies regarding
mega development projects in Pakistan, create space for indigenous community’s
voice regarding articulation of policies about mega development projects,
Influence media to play more responsible and vigilant role regarding mega
development projects, Sensitize public opinion to question non-participatory
policies regarding mega development projects to prevent damages, and Motivate
legislatures to develop their effective and responsible role in this regard and get
them involved in the campaign.

Concept Paper: Exposure Visit of PNF Delegation to India

The concept paper was aimed to provide exposure to member organizations of
coalescing units of PNF. The exposure visit to India was supposed providing an
understanding of mechanisms and strategies regarding developing linkages with
State departments and making integration with Government to foster a
democratic, just and liberal society. The exposure visit to India also was supposed
to provide an exposure and opportunity to learn new techniques, strategies, and
mechanisms which would support and strengthen the civil society networks in
Pakistan.
Concept Paper: Role of Civil Society in Post-Earthquake Situation
The concept paper was aimed to be part of rehabilitation process to make it more
accountable and credible. The concept paper provided justification that
Indigenous communities of local areas, civil society and representative of
democratic institutions like local government assemblies, provincial assemblies,
national assembly and senate had never been taken in to confidence during entire
process so concept paper recommended that role of civil society should be more
strengthened and elected representatives needed to lead the entire process of
relief, rescue and rehabilitation. the concept paper was also described that role of
civil society in post-earthquake situation would facilitate to ensure accuracy in
situation analysis process, accountability and Transparency in relief and
rehabilitation process, Establishment of all kind of records at the local level, ensure
citizen rights especially women, children, minority and other marginalized groups
of the civil society, Entitlement/ compensation to the victims, Dispute resolution at
the local level through formation of “Masalheti Committees”, Legal help to
affected people and establishment of effective judicial system, Exploitation of
housing sector/ reconstruction through local bodies, Resettlement plan through
consultation and degradation of Natural Resources and Good governance/
decision making by the elected people.

Progress Reports/Minutes/PMF
During the report, PNF secretariat regularly produced quarterly and six monthly
reports and shared with coalescing networks and partners. These reports provide a
gist about PNF and its coalescing unit’s performance and activities. These reports
also highlighted the serious problems and issues relevant with civil society and
preventive measure taken by coalescing units. During the period, PNF secretariat
also produced Performance Measurement Format (PMF) which provided a rich
knowledge about PNF and its history and achievements. PNF secretariat also
produced minutes of PNF Executive Council meeting organized quarterly. Besides,
minutes and reports of different events like debate on role of civil society to
protect damages of Mega projects in Pakistan, review report, Debate on Gawader
Port issue, Open discussion on NGO-Government and Media relations and so
many other events documented properly.

Correspondence/Press Notes
During the reporting, PNF Secretariat keep close liaison with print and electronic
media, district government, international donor agencies, grassroots organizations,
community based organizations (CBOs), politicians, scholars, writers, social
scientists and development professionals. During the entire course, PNF received
many letters which responded timely.

Besides, PNF secretariat efficiently responded the serious concerns of civil society.
In this connection, PNF secretariat released press statements and condemn police
attack on journalist rally in Lahore on international day of freedom of press,
Police attack on Asma Jhangir, Chairperson HRCP Pakistan, misbehavior of Zila
Nazim Multan with Civil society organizations, President General Pervaz
Mushraf’s allegation on NGOs, environmental, social and political impact of
construction of Kalabagh Dam, environmental impact of New Muree Project on
lives of human and geography, murder of Development Professional Mr. Qaiser
Rasheed and strongly condemn publication of blasphemy cartoons in European
countries.

PNF Secretariat also responded immediately to the ARY-TV Channel on its

program “views on news” and shared civil society concerns. The program
telecasted baseless critical comments against NGOs and program did not telecast
the comments and feedback of NGOs. Correspondence also made with British
Petroleum against their exploitative attitude towards sustainable development and
ignorance of local people in Badin district. Some international donor agencies set
out criteria for funding and NGOs and CBOs said to be certified by Pakistan
Center for Philanthropy (PCP). In this regard, PCP also described a difficult
criterion which small CBOs and NGOs could not qualify. In this regard, SNI
provide documentary proves and PNF Secretariat drafted a letter to UNDP and
showed its concerns and fears.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

Strengths Weaknesses
• Voluntarily commitment to resolve • No implementation on decisions
problems relevant with civil society taken in its executive council meetings
• Discussion over provincial and • No effective campaign and follow up
national issues; focuses political affairs on civil society concerns
and works for rights of marginalized
• No uniform image of PNF
civil society.
• No implementation and refresher on
• Increasing membership
code of conduct
• Transparently budget sharing
• No development of Database
• District, Provincial and National
• Weak monitoring mechanism
conventions of coalescing units
• No feedback mechanism
• Regular Executive Councils’ Meetings
• Unclear strategic directions
• Information Flow to coalescing units
• Consultation on Youth Policy and
Provincial Autonomy
• Dialogues and discussion on internal
mechanism of PNF and NGO
Accountability
• Fund raising for PNF
 Opportunities Threats
• Space for network to build an image • Financial Assistance
of NGOs
• Volunteerism
• Donors interest in network
• Intern-provincial conflicts
• Donors interest in Capacity Building
• Undemocratic behavior of State
• Willingness to resolve inter-
• International cultural conflicts
organizational conflicts
• Integrity in relief and rehabilitation
work