Ex-Servicemen Socities illegally collecting funds for flood relief: MoD

By Our Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Defence has categorically clarified that it does not recognize or endorse the activities of certain associations of persons masquerading as (or claiming to be) ex-servicemen societies i.e, inter alia, Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS) and Veterans of Pakistan (VoP). These socities have been soliciting support and funds for charitable purposes, flood relief, public works or propagation of unwarranted ideas, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Friday. The statement added, “same are neither recognized nor authorized, on behalf of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, to indulge in such activities, as so-called ex-servicemen societies, illegally claiming association with the Armed Forces of Pakistan or the instrumentalities thereof” . The Ministry of Defence has already framed comprehensive policy/ guidelines for functioning/ operation of Ex-servicemen societies. Same is available with Ministry of Defence, Government of Pakistan Office, for future consultation/ guidance. Any organization of person(s) not complying with the policy guidelines shall be culpable, entailing penal consequences, the statement pointed out.