Abstract
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have proliferated dramatically in Pakistan. They have become a part of contemporary governance with crucial roles to overcome challenges and threats to governance and national security. While their roles have been evolving, they are under scrutiny of government, media, and civil society. The spread of NGOs and simultaneously militancy/terrorism in Pakistan is seen by many Pakistanis as a complementary phenomenon. Rising influence of NGOs is attributed to absence of government and the governance failure is considered as a major cause of the rise of militancy. This paper examines the milieu of the NGOs in Pakistan and the prevalent practices and attitudes towards their legitimacy and accountability. It explores complexities of NGOs’ legitimacy, drawing from and adding to the literature on governance and national security. This paper takes a descriptive approach and a democratic theoretical perspective that is so close to the ideology of Pakistan. It reflects as to how legitimate NGOs can become vital social organizations, or conversely, a security risk without public support for their missions. It provides an understanding as to what this sector is doing or not doing for Pakistan, and concurrently suggests measures for its efficacy.