What is an NGO?
There is no legal defination of term "NGO" in Pakistani law however an NGO is normally considered to be a non-government or ganization which works for the welfarebenefit and/or development of society or certain section of society it is usually constitutedby the body of voluntiers.some NGO have paid employees who are usually responsible for its administrative funtionng it is usually a non profitable organization,which means that its members are not entitled to any profit from the earning or incom that it generates.in some cases eg cooperatives,its members derive financial benefits from the profits. NGO funtion according to their own costitution,memmorandum articles rules ,by-laws provided that these confirm to the law of land. If they are considerd they are expected to observe under any act or ordinane they are expected to observe the provision of that particular act/ordinance.

Why should one go for registering an NGO?
An NGO in Pakistan doesn't have to register itself to perform charitable, welfare and developmental activities. However, there are some specific types of activities that can only be carried out if the NGO is registered under a particular Act/law. There are certain important advantages an NGO may gain upon registration, which it would otherwise not have. Ideally the registration process supposed to lead to the development of systematic thinking and functioning among NGOs.

What are benefits of registering an NGO?
Registered NGOs obtain legal status at the official level and among donors and other organizations, so that members are able to represent the organization, the NGO can open a bank account in the name of the organization, sign contracts in the name of the organization. A registered NGO can also qualify for the financial assistance from certain government agencies and local, national & international donors. Other benefits that are believed to flow from registration are guidance and help from relevant registration authorities, contracts funds and support from the relevant departments, tax exemption from certain incomes, training opportunities, technical assistance and concessions when obtaining vehicles, equipment and commodities. However these benefits are not uniformly spread across all types of registration, nor are all NGOs are able to claim them.

What are available options for registration?
There are five Acts/ordinances in Pakistan under which an NGO can register itself there. These are: a) Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies Registration and Control Ordinance 1961 (for registration as a social welfare agency) b) The Societies Registration Act, 1860 (for registration as a society) c) The Cooperative Society Act, 1925 (for registration as a cooperative society) d) The Companies Ordinance, 1984(for registration as a non-profit company) e) The trust act, 1882(through a formal declaration of trust)

What are the Indirect benefits of the registration?
Obtaining legal status open the way for a registered NGO to obtain certain other benefits if it can prove itself worthy of them according to different criteria set up by those who offer the benefits.

How to get a Financial Aid?
Although it can’t be said that a non registered NGO in Pakistan has never received or can’t receive official financial aid from government, private, national, international donors A majority of NGO that can receive official financial support are registered NGOs The main source are government departments and specially created government funds UN and International agencies and some private national donors, (foundation trust etc) a large proportion of theses funds are available regardless of the type of agency, the national provincial social welfare councils make funds available only to registered Social Welfare Agencies. However the amount of these grants are small usually ranging between Rs.4000/- to Rs.12000/- per year.

How to get a Technical assistance?
Many NGOs expect extended guidance in the running of their NGO from the registration Authority.such guidance however is available more readily from the social welfare and Cooperative registration offices .the role of the companies and societies registration offices seem to end after registration, and is activated again only in case of disputes within the registered society or if specially called upon by the courts to settle matter among disputing societies

What are the Training facilities available for registered NGO?
The social welfare department has devoted a traing institute (social welfare training institute) to the training of the NGO registered under the voluntary social welfare agencies registration ordinance 1961 .this institute conduct training at its own premises in Karachi as well as arranging mobile training session all over the sind this training can be Availed by registered social welfare agencies,but again is not automatic for every registered NGO

How do I register an NGO?
An NGO in pakistan does't have to register itself to performe charitable,welfare or developmenatal activities.however there are some specific types of activities that can only be carried out ,if the NGO is registerd under a particular Act/law. There are certain important adgvantages an NGO may gain upon registration which it otherwise not have.ideally the registration process is supposed to lead to the development of systamatic thinking and funtioning among NGOs.thinking about registration should force the group seeking to register itsNGO to clerify its ideas about what it mean to achieve and how it plans to achieve its(objectives,activities &functioning).registration should assist in the maintinance of descipline and order among members,if an NGO makes rules for running the organization but does't register the organization,theses rules have no legal force,but once an NGO is registered these rules are legally enforceable.since vareous registration laws requires define procedures relating to the policy and administrative functioning of the registered NGOs,the NGO is likely to become organized and systamatic.registered NGOs obtain legal status at the official level and among donors and others organizations,the NGO can open a bank account in the name of the organization,sign contracts in the name of the organizationand offer personnel indemnity to its members against the liabilities of the organization.A registered NGO CAN also qualify for financial assistance from certain government agenciesand local ,national and international donors.others benefits that are believe to flow from registration are guidance and help nfrom relevent registration authorities ,contracts,funds and support from the relevent departments,technical assistance,and concessions when obtaining vehicles,uniformally spred across all type of registration,nor all NGO are able to claim them.