Giving to charity is good, but you should know where your money goes. In Punjab, the government says charities must be registered, and it has told people to give only to registered groups. Here is how to check a charity before you donate, who to call, and what to do if something looks wrong.
What the Punjab Government Has Said
- 20 February 2026: The Punjab Home Department warned citizens not to give money to banned or unregistered groups. It said funding proscribed groups is a punishable offence under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. It released a list of banned organisations and unregistered charities.
- 21 February 2026: APP reported that the department asked people to give zakat, charity and other donations only to properly registered groups.
- 13 May 2026: ProPakistani reported that collecting donations without registration is banned in Punjab. Charities must register with the Punjab Charity Commission before they start fundraising.
Step 1: Ask for the Registration Certificate
Ask the charity to show its registration certificate. In Punjab, the Home Department says the certificate has a QR code. Do not accept a photo that you cannot check.
Step 2: Scan the QR Code
The Home Department says registration can be checked by scanning the QR code on the certificate. I could not find what the scan page shows, so check that the name on the page is the same as the name of the charity asking for money.
Step 3: Use the WhatsApp Verification Line
The Home Department gave a Punjab Charity Commission (PCC) WhatsApp verification line, 0313-4995564. APP says it is open 24 hours a day. Send the charity’s full name and ask whether it is registered. These numbers were given in February 2026, so confirm them on the Punjab Home Department website.
Step 4: Check the Banned and Unregistered List
The department says the full list is on the Punjab Home Department and NACTA websites. The reports do not give the exact web pages, so search for them on those two official sites. Type the website address yourself.
Step 5: Look for Independent Certification
The Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) certifies non-profits for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). It checks governance, financial management and programme delivery, according to Business Recorder (25 January 2025). The NACTA Safe Charities List page says you can open PCP’s database by sector and district, or search by name. Certification is voluntary, so a charity missing from the list is not proven fake. It is only less checked.
Step 6: Ask About Tax Receipts
If you want a tax benefit, ask for a receipt with the charity’s NTN and proof that it is an approved non-profit. An ETTC guide (14 September 2026) says donors can claim credit only for organisations approved under the Income Tax rules, and that legal registration alone does not make a charity tax-exempt. This is from one source, so ask a tax adviser before you rely on it.
What About Other Provinces?
The Punjab sources above apply to Punjab. For other provinces, the PCP Guide Book on NGOs (March 2022) says Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have their own charity laws and authorities. I did not find their donor verification steps. Ask the charity which authority registered it, then confirm with that office. See our guide on how to check whether an NGO is registered in Pakistan.
Red Flags
- The charity has no registration certificate, or the QR code does not work.
- It asks you to send money to a personal bank account, wallet or WhatsApp number.
- It pushes you to give straight away, often after a disaster.
- It cannot say where the money goes.
- It has no reports or accounts.
These signs are general advice, not from the government notices.
Where to Report Suspicious Fundraising
The Punjab Home Department gave these numbers:
- Toll-free: 0800-11111
- Helpline: 042-99213871
- PCC WhatsApp verification line: 0313-4995564
Keep Your Proof
Keep your receipt and a screenshot of any online page. Never share your OTP, card PIN or password with someone collecting a donation.
What I Could Not Confirm
- What the QR code page shows.
- The exact web addresses of the Home Department and NACTA lists.
- The penalty for fundraising without registration. The report does not give one.
- The date the rule on registration began.
- How to check charities in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
- Whether the helpline numbers are still working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must a charity be registered in Punjab?
Yes. According to ProPakistani, it must register with the Punjab Charity Commission before it fundraises.
How can I check a charity in Punjab?
Scan the QR code on its certificate or use the PCC WhatsApp line, 0313-4995564.
Is zakat covered?
APP reports that the department asked people to give zakat and other donations only to registered groups.
Is a PCP-certified charity safe?
PCP certification is a good sign, but it does not replace your own checks.
What if a charity is not registered?
Do not give. You can report it to the helplines above.
Can I get a tax benefit?
Only for approved non-profits, according to one guide. Ask for the NTN and approval details.
Check the certificate, scan the code and use the helpline before you give.
