LAHORE: The 26th meeting of the Punjab Charities Commission was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi to review the performance and monitoring of charitable organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and to discuss measures for strengthening regulatory oversight.
Secretary Housing and Commissioner Punjab Charities Commission Noor-ul-Amin Mengal attended the meeting online, while Commissioner Punjab Charities Commission Dr Usama Siddique was also present. Chief Executive Officer Colonel Shehzad Amir briefed participants on the Commission’s performance and future plans.
The meeting was informed that the Commission was implementing a province-wide programme to strengthen the capacity of NGOs. It maintains regular contact with 8,345 NGOs operating in Punjab and provides training to help them identify and prevent risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing.
Participants were also briefed on the introduction of an audit management system aimed at improving transparency in charitable organisations and preventing the misuse of NGOs for money laundering and terrorist activities.
The Commission has established a monitoring and accountability mechanism to oversee charitable organisations, their administrators and beneficiaries. Officials said suspicious activities could lead to inquiries and audits of the organisations concerned.
The meeting was further informed that organisations found violating the law could face the revocation of permission to collect donations. The Commission is also providing guidance, training and consultation to charitable organisations, trustees and staff to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
To improve oversight and facilitate compliance, the Commission is using a comprehensive support system that includes a chatbot and a risk-based assessment framework. Participants also received a briefing on inquiries and enforcement actions initiated against NGOs allegedly found violating the law.
Addressing the meeting, Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi stressed that registration with the Punjab Charities Commission was mandatory for all charitable organisations operating in the province.
He directed charitable organisations to ensure strict compliance with the law, particularly in the utilisation of charitable funds, and underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in charitable activities.