Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Pakistan are registered with the Ministry of Interior under the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance, 1961. The process of registering an NGO in Pakistan involves the following steps:
- Obtain a National Tax Number (NTN) and Sales Tax Number (STN) from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
- Prepare the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Rules and Regulations of the NGO, which should include details such as the name of the organization, objectives, functions, and powers of the NGO.
- Submit the MOA and Rules and Regulations, along with the NTN and STN certificates, to the Ministry of Interior for review.
- Once the Ministry of Interior approves the registration, the NGO will be issued a registration certificate.
- After registration, the NGO is required to file an annual return with the Ministry of Interior and submit audited financial statements every year.
It is important to note that the process of registering an NGO in Pakistan can take several months and may be subject to change. In addition, NGOs are also required to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) if they intend to receive foreign donations or are planning to raise funds through public offerings.
In summary, registering an NGO in Pakistan involves obtaining a National Tax Number and Sales Tax Number, preparing the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations, submitting them to the Ministry of Interior, and obtaining the registration certificate. After registration, NGOs are required to file an annual return and submit audited financial statements every year, and if they intend to receive foreign donations or planning to raise funds through public offerings, they should also register with the SECP.