Dynamics of NGOs: A Pakistani Perspective

In Pakistan, NGOs are growing in number and size and getting place for themselves as the third sector of society. The reasons of NGOs becoming a third sector side by side the state and business sectors are attributed to the ineffectiveness of state apparatus and failure of business in providing the effective development mechanism at grass root level. In Pakistan where socio-economic indicators are little appreciable, the state is looking towards other institutions to share its responsibility of social welfare and development. Realizing the importance of NGOs as a helping hand in socio-economic development by the present government, Citizen Community Boards (CCBs), which are also a new form of citizen’s initiatives, have become a part of the local development mechanism in the Local Government Ordinance 2000. NGOs which have proved their importance in Bangladesh and other under developed countries of the world can play crucial role in grass roots development, along with, the state and business organizations. In this background, this is right time for state and business as to understand the dynamics of NGOs with special reference to Pakistan so that the potentials of citizen’s initiatives can be utilized for public good. This paper presents a picture of NGOs by taking account of the genesis, types and kinds, regulatory authorities, its roles, and strengths and weaknesses of Pakistani NGOs.