The federal government ordered two international NGOs, Vital Strategies and the US-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, to cease operations related to the alleged unregulated activities.
The Interior Ministry ordered the State Bank of Pakistan to freeze their accounts and instructed the provincial governments, as well as the governments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, to close their offices.
Both NGOs operate without government approval, despite cooperating with the Ministry of Health for years, ARY News reported, citing sources. Neither organization is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) or the Economic Affairs Department, raising concerns about compliance.
The action is part of a broader crackdown on international NGOs that fail to meet regulatory requirements.
Separately, the Sindh government announced plans to transfer 100 schools, currently in poor condition, to major NGOs to improve their operations. Sources within the Sindh Education Ministry said that 60 schools in Karachi and 40 schools in other parts of the province will be handed over as part of this initiative, led by the interim minister, to enhance educational standards.