Mardan: An important consultative meeting of the District Coordination Council Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held at Al-Islah Centre, Mardan, with the participation of representatives of civil society and welfare organizations from various districts, including Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, Nowshera, Abbottabad, and Mansehra. The meeting was hosted by Inayat Ur Rahman, President of the District Coordination Council Mardan. Participants held detailed discussions on the administrative, legal, and financial challenges being faced by social welfare organizations across the province.
During the meeting, participants expressed serious concern that despite being legally registered under the Social Welfare Department, many organizations continue to face unnecessary documentation requirements, multiple registration procedures, complicated regulations, and lengthy administrative processes in various government and financial institutions. They observed that these hurdles are significantly affecting the ability of civil society organizations to carry out their welfare and development activities effectively. The suspension of bank accounts of registered organizations and the difficulties newly registered organizations face in opening bank accounts were identified as urgent issues requiring immediate government attention.The participants also pointed out that annual registration renewals, audit requirements, government fees, and other administrative expenses have placed a heavy financial burden on organizations operating with limited resources. As a result, many welfare organizations are struggling to continue their public service initiatives. The meeting urged the provincial government to simplify, standardize, and make transparent all procedures related to the registration and operation of civil society organizations so that they can continue serving communities without unnecessary obstacles.On this occasion, the participants unanimously presented a comprehensive Charter of Demands, calling for the immediate restoration of bank accounts of registered organizations, easier access to banking facilities for newly registered organizations, the elimination of unnecessary registration requirements, simplification of documentation procedures, reduction in annual registration and compliance costs, and the formulation of a supportive policy framework for civil society organizations.
The meeting also resolved to bring all registered civil society organizations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa together on a strong and effective platform at the divisional level. For this purpose, a Divisional Coordination Committee was constituted. The committee comprises Rooh-ul-Amin from Swabi, Sardar Akbar from Charsadda, Kachkol Khattak from Nowshera, Tufail from Mansehra, and Inayat Ur Rahman and Fayyaz-ul-Islam from Mardan.The committee, under the leadership of Inayat Ur Rahman, President of the District Coordination Council Mardan, will work to strengthen coordination among civil society organizations in different districts, promote mutual cooperation, formulate joint strategies, and ensure effective liaison with government institutions on matters concerning the welfare sector.At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to continue serving society by promoting public welfare, education, healthcare, human rights, social development, poverty alleviation, and social harmony. They called upon the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to take immediate and practical measures to address the challenges faced by civil society and welfare organizations, enabling them to continue their valuable contribution to public service more effectively and efficiently.
