Islamabad – The expected participation of senior ministers from key federal ministries in an upcoming event, reportedly organized and sponsored by a local non-government organization (NGO) with proven ties to illicit tobacco manufacturers and tax evaders, has sparked significant concerns. These decision makers, who play a crucial role in shaping and enforcing policies to combat tax evasion, risk their attendance being interpreted as tacit support for organizations that undermine national economic interests.
It is particularly alarming that Human Development Foundation, NGO working in anti-tobacco field was recently exposed for getting financial benefits from the leading tobacco trading business families of Mardan.
According to articles and guidelines of WHO’s Frame Work Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), anti-tobacco advocates, organizations, INGOs and NGOs are strictly stopped from coordinating with the tobacco industry and they cannot receive any sort of sponsorship, funding, support, assistance directly or indirectly from the tobacco industry in any form.
The nexus between HDF and Mardan’s tobacco industry running Millat Tobacco Company, Markhor Tobacco Company, FBU Tobacco Company was exposed by media in the past. According to media reports, HDF was getting financial funding from the tobacco industry through family trusts managed by the owners of these cigarette manufacturers. These cigarette manufacturers were also allegedly involved in tax evasion.
Now HDF’s upcoming session on tobacco policies raised questions especially expected participation of key decision makers from the finance ministry, health ministry and FBR.
Participation of key decision makers especially involved in the financial and taxation policies in an event organized by an NGO having controversial exposed links with the illicit tobacco sector raised serious questions and this sent negative messages from the government side.
Dr. Maheen Malik, Director South Asia Programs, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, USA is also in Pakistan on a visit and attending various discussion forums organized by the NGOs. Interestingly Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids is not registered with Ministry of Interior, which is mandatory for every INGO to work in Pakistan. Bypassing all national laws and mandatory registration requirement of Ministry of Interior, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids is continuously providing funding to these NGOs. But after highlighting illegal working of INGO in Pakistan by media, INGO has seemingly adopted a new strategy to bypass these legal requirements by no longer using its official name in such events. Instead, its representatives, including its Director South Asia Programs, participate under different titles i.e Public Health Advocate, Global Health Expert etc , effectively continuing their lobbying efforts under the guise of other local entities.
Recently, the government has also constituted a committee under the federal law minister for addressing issues related to illegal INGO working in the country.
