Save the Children was shut down and sealed off in Islamabad, Pakistan. Staff members were also ordered to leave the country in 15 days. Pakistan government officials and police arrived at the international aid group’s compound on Thursday and placed a lock on the entrance gate.
Agence France-Presse reports the following comment by a senior government official, Kamran Cheema.
“We have sealed the office of Save the Children on government instructions. We don’t know the reasons behind this order. We were sent a three-line notification by the interior ministry saying that this office should be sealed and all the expatriate staff be sent back to their countries within 15 days.”
News cameramen take footage of the office of the international charity ‘Save the Children’ sealed by order of authorities in Islamabad on June 11, 2015 as a policeman stands guard outside the building. (Photo via AFP)
According to coverage by the Guardian, the lock out by Pakistan authorities may be motivated in part because of Save the Children’s alleged ties with Pakistani physician Dr. Shakeel Afridi and his suspected ties with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The Washington Postreports that since shortly after the U.S. military raided and killed Osama bin Laden in May 2011 in the city of Abbottabad, Pakistani intelligence and government officials have suspected Save the Children’s involvement.
According to a 2012 Pakistan intelligence report, Save the Children was linked with Dr. Shakeel Afridi who the CIA allegedly used to carry out a fake vaccination program as the CIA searched for Osama bin Laden.”
Pakistan officials accused Save the Children of working with Dr. Afridi and the CIA in gaining intelligence on bin Laden, while conducting a hepatitis immunization survey in Abbottabad where U.S. officials said bin Laden had been living for six years.
Save the Children’s former director in Pakistan, Ghulam Qadri, denied any wrongdoing by the global charity. In a May 2012 interview, Qadri toldCBS News, Dr. Afridi participated in three training programs organized by the charity; however, “Save the Children has never directly or indirectly funded Doctor Afridi’s work.”
Dr. Afridi was ultimately convicted of treason. His initial sentence was 33 years, but it was later reduced to 10 years.
Save the Children is a nongovernmental organization that advocates for neglected and poor children in 120 countries. The nonprofit organization has been working in Pakistan for 35 years.
According to the Washington Post, Save the Children confirmed in a statement that the Islamabad office “has been closed and sealed off today [June 11] by the Pakistani authorities” and added, “Save the Children was not served any notice to this effect.”
‘Save the Children’ office sealed off. Staff is ordered to leave Pakistan. (Photo courtesy of Saama)
In response to their office being shut down and ordered to leave the country in 15 days, Save the Children stated their objection:
“We strongly object to this action and are raising our serious concerns at the highest levels. All our work is designed and delivered in close collaboration with the government ministries across the country and aims to strengthen public service delivery systems in health, nutrition, education, and child welfare.”
Pakistan authorities have not made any formal announcements, but unofficially, the interior ministry said Save the Children staff members have been involved in “anti-Pakistan activities.”
[Featured image via AFP]
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