ISLAMABAD: Civil society leaders have urged the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to restore the country’s membership in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) — a global initiative promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
In a press statement issued on Friday, Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director of the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), voiced serious concern over Pakistan’s removal from the OGP, attributing it to the previous government’s failure (2018–2022) to submit a revised National Action Plan (NAP) within the required time frame.
“As a civil society organization advocating for open and accountable governance, SSDO considers OGP a crucial platform for reforms that empower citizens and ensure institutional transparency,” Abbas remarked.
Pakistan joined the OGP in 2016 under the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, paying a $25,000 membership fee from the national exchequer. The country had committed to co-developing a National Action Plan with active civil society participation. Early measures, such as publishing a tax directory of elected representatives, showed promise. However, despite repeated reminders over three years, Pakistan failed to submit an updated plan, leading to the termination of its membership between 2018 and 2022.
“Rejoining OGP would send a powerful message of Pakistan’s renewed commitment to transparency and governance reforms,” Abbas emphasized, noting that Pakistan remains eligible to reapply and has the institutional capacity to implement open government initiatives.
SSDO stressed that restoring OGP membership would strengthen Pakistan’s global reputation, promote citizen-inclusive policymaking, and foster greater trust between the state and its people.
“We urge the government to act without delay — designate a lead ministry, engage civil society stakeholders, and develop a robust National Action Plan to regain OGP membership,” Abbas concluded.
