Pakistan shuts down MSF operations in tribal areas

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Health authorities in northwestern tribal areas of Pakistan on Wednesday asked international humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders, to wrap up its operations in the restive Kurram Agency within a week.

The organization's spokesman said in a statement that they had been given no explanation for the sudden orders for closure.

The decision was also confirmed by a health official in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas secretariat in Peshawar, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

"The No Objection Certificate (NOC) of the organization has expired and the authorities have decided not to renew it," he told Anadolu Agency.

The organization, also known by its French acronym, MSF, has been running two health facilities in Kurram since 2004.

Catherine Moody, country representative for MSF said: "MSF is saddened by the decision from the authorities responsible for NGOs working in tribal areas along with Afghanistan border as the closure brings to an end 14 years of MSF working with the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Health Services in Kurram Agency."

"We will, as much as possible, continue to provide obstetric and newborn services to the women of FATA through the MSF Women’s Hospital located in Peshawar [capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province]," she added.

MSF has been working in Pakistan since 1986, providing healthcare facilities to communities who are affected by natural disasters, conflict and lack access to healthcare.