Pakistan government shuts down Save the Children’s offices in the capital Islamabad
Pakistan has closed down the offices of international children’s charity Save the Children in its capital Islamabad.
There has been no official government explanation as to why but one official told a news agency the UK based charity had been monitored and was doing something “against Pakistan's interest."
Save the Children has denied any wrongdoing and said it has “serious concerns” about the move.
A spokesperson said: "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."
In 2012, Pakistan accused the charity of having links to Dr Shakil Afridi who ran a CIA fake vaccination programme which helped track down Osama Bin Laden – again something the charity has always denied.
Foreign staff working for the charity were forced to leave the country and since then its work there, mainly health, education and food projects, has been carried out by 1,200 Pakistani staff.
