Pakistan: aid agency Save the Children ordered to leave

Pakistani authorities have given Save the Children 15 days to leave the country, officials said on Friday, accusing the aid agency of spying.

Police locked the gate of the charity's office in the capital Islamabad late on Thursday and put up a notice saying the building was sealed.

"We strongly object to this action and are raising our serious concerns at the highest levels," Save the Children said in a statement.

"All our work is designed and delivered in close collaboration with the government ministries across the country and aims to strengthen public service delivery systems in health, nutrition, education and child welfare."

The charity, which has been in Pakistan for over 35 years, has had run-ins with the government since 2011, when it was linked to Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani doctor recruited by the CIA to help in the hunt that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad.

Save the Children's foreign staff members were expelled from Pakistan soon after the accusations surfaced, but more than 1,000 local staff have continued to operate. The charity denies any links with the Pakistani doctor or the CIA.

Police sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the aid agency was being shut down because it was involved in "anti-Pakistani projects."

"We have been monitoring their calls and watching their offices and their activities are very suspicious," a senior police official said in Islamabad.

An official at the charity said several staff members had been denied visas since 2012, and aid supplies had been blocked by Pakistani authorities.

"These restrictions have blocked aid to millions of children and their families," the official said. "Hopefully better sense will prevail."

Aid workers say Pakistan has toughened its policies towards both international and local groups, accusing them of using their work as a cover for espionage.

Of particular concern is the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act 2015, a bill that, if approved, would make it easier for officials to prevent groups that receive foreign funds from operating in Pakistan.

According to CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organizations, the Pakistan government deregistered 3,000 local aid groups in December last year.

related articles
Pakistan: More than 100 Christians arrested following riots and death of 2 men
Pakistan: More than 100 Christians arrested following riots and death of 2 men

Pakistan: More than 100 Christians arrested following riots and death of 2 men

Pakistan: Anti-Christian violence erupts in Lahore after alleged Quran burning
Pakistan: Anti-Christian violence erupts in Lahore after alleged Quran burning

Pakistan: Anti-Christian violence erupts in Lahore after alleged Quran burning

Pakistan: New legislation could stop misuse of blasphemy laws
Pakistan: New legislation could stop misuse of blasphemy laws

Pakistan: New legislation could stop misuse of blasphemy laws

News
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame

Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to new stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God
Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God

Rapper Nicki Minaj opened up about her recently reignited relationship with God and what inspired her to speak out for persecuted Christians, suggesting that her rise in the music industry made it more challenging to maintain the spirituality of her youth. 

Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events
Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events

The Christian Institute has initiated legal proceedings against Keir Starmer in a bid to end civil service participation in controversial Pride marches. 

National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches
National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £7.3 million to help maintain four historic churches.