Nongovernment Organizations and Civil Society

ADB features a country profile of Pakistan [ PDF ] that provides an overview of the civil society as well as details on ADB-CSO cooperation in the country.

CIVICUS*: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international network that helps strengthen citizen action and civil society. CIVICUS provides a focal point for knowledge-sharing, common interest representation, global institution-building and engagement among civil society. The alliance published in 2001 the Civil Society in Pakistan* [ PDF ], a civil society index (CSI) that aims to enhance understanding of civil society in the country. The CSI also aims to facilitate linkages between civil society, government and business.

In Pakistan, NGOs have become key partners in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The article published by D+C, Development and Cooperation*, Civil society need not speak English*, discusses the relationship of civil society with donors in the context of tripartite arrangements, which also involve governmental institutions.

The Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy* is an independent, non-profit, support organization that was established to lead philanthropy promotion in Pakistan. The site offers resources* on civil society and other nonprofit organizations (NPOs) like laws governing NPOs and on civil society. Gateway to Giving* [ PDF ] is a directory of 84 certified nonprofit organizations in Pakistan. Published in 2006, the report was made possible with the support provided by the ADB.

The World Bank Group published an article that discusses the role of civil society in countries in transition like Afghanistan and Pakistan*.