LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) along with other host of petitioner organizations has challenged the Punjab Charity Act 2018 in Lahore High Court (LHC.). Today in the hearing at the court of Hon Justice Shahid Karim, Hina Jillani, the lead counsel of all the petitioners, presented her arguments. She challenged the law on several grounds arguing that the law violates section 17 of the constitution and imposes unreasonable restrictions on non governmental organisations (NGOs.). She argued that several clauses of the law were intrusive in nature and provide general, vague and overarching powers to the registration authority. She added that the law imposes compulsory registration provisions on NGOs already registered under different laws. Ironically, Ms Jillani said that any organization if it fails to register under the law will be imposed 6-month imprisonment. She also argued that authorities are already using this law to malign, harass and target NGOs especially those working for the people’s rights and democracy. She also argued that government passed this law in a haste to fulfil requirements of Financial Action Task Force ( FATF.) However, FATF conditions clearly suggest risk-based approach for controlling organizations at risk for being used for terror financing. By including such organizations working on rights and justice and now obtaining public donations clearly show mala-fide intent of controlling dissent, Ms Jillani noted, . She was of the view that the law clearly curb freedom of association and expression guaranteed under the constitution, international covenants and judgements of the superior courts.
