Title: Role of NGOs in Economic Development of Pakistan

Speaker: Prof. Akhtar A Hai, Senior Research Economists, Applied Economics Research Centre – University of Karachi.

Venue: NGO Resource Centre – Information Centre
D – 114, Block 5, Clifton, Karachi – Tel 5865501-2
Thursday December 15, 2005
4:30 to 6:30 pm

In Pakistan, some of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) claim they are integral part of the government, but this trend is very dangerous because NGOs have their particular role to play and the government has its own role.

This was stated by Prof. Akhtar A Hai, Senior Research Economists, Applied Economics Research Centre – University of Karachi, speaking at Development Forum of NGO Resource Centre at Karachi Thursday. The Forum is part of the services of Development Communication Unit of NGORC.

“NGOs are not substitute to the government,” he said adding that NGOs must consider their role as that of facilitators on specific issues and not that of substitution or replacement of the existing governmental system. The NGOs’ role is wider and specific to time and location, he added.

Prof. Hai pointed out that the main purpose of establishing NGOs was to create awareness about the rights of members of the community or the area/region concerned through advocacy or to create the basis of solution of the problems faced through service provision.

The NGOs have to work to bridge the gap between the governmental institutions and the people, he remarked.

He elaborated the working of NGOs in Pakistan and said there are about 70,000 to 80,000 NGOs working in different parts of Pakistan. The NGOs are working in various fields.

Different areas and communities face different problems that threatened their livelihood, he said adding that these problems included lack of basic amenities like drinking water, health, educational and housing facilities; reluctance of concerned governments to bring in legislative changes to eradicate discrimination and injustices; environmental degradation, poverty and unemployment.

Prof. Hai said as the governmental efforts were inadequate and insufficient in resolving the issues of common people, so the NGOs were established outside the framework of the concerned governments.

He also spoke about water problem in Pakistan. According to him, there is no shortage of fresh water in the world, but there is improper control over its distribution.

Prof. Hai said that water is available in Pakistan at very cheaper rates, but there is no proper management. That is why water is wastefully used wherever it is available and in many areas, water is even not available for drinking purposes. The total cost of fresh water does not exceed five percent of the total cost of production, he added. He however, did not elaborate how the cost of water is calculated.

The representatives of various NGOs asked stimulating questions regarding working of NGOs and water issue.

Earlier, Anis Danish of Development Communication Unit briefly introduced the guest speaker and explained the objectives of holding Development Forum.