Tobacco-Free Kids, Indus Hospital’s alleged involvement in money laundering exposed

ISLAMABAD: Taking action on the recommendation from the Interior Ministry, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has frozen the accounts of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies for working illegally in Pakistan.

However, Daily Ausaf has learned that the central bank has not yet taken any action against those local organisations being funded by these banned INGOs.

Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies have funded several local-based NGOs including, Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), Chromatic Trust, Human Development Foundation, Aurat Foundation, and Health Services Academy.

Sources said that the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Indus Hospital allegedly collaborated in money laundering with the involvement of Karachi-based firm, Wasabai.

The funds were being transferred to a company, which was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The Wasabi’s website was also found to be fake.

Last year, ABN News reported alleged links of said INGOs with India. The Vital Strategies, which was banned in Pakistan for several operational violations, was founded in New Delhi, the capital of India.

The chairperson of the Board of Directors of Vital Strategies is Bruce Mandell, a billionaire belonging to a Jewish family.

Bruce joined the board in 2008 and began his term as board chair in 2023.