| Abstract | Non - governmental organizations (NGOs) play a vital role in developing countries. These organizations are a hope in Pakistan where the state and the market cannot cater to the needs of the poor. NGOs create income - generating opportunities in Pakistan through physical resources provision as well as imparting trainings. Studying history, we see that NGOs have been most effective when reaching out to the grassroots. NGO - work is not to interfere with either the state or the market . The relationship between NGOs and the state is a key determinant in the development contribution of NGOs. So, the resource - poor state of Pakistan looks towards NGOs seeking a helping - hand in making their economy thrive . Similarly, in terms of the relationship between the market and NGO s , NGOs and trade unions can work together. This study add s further that NGOs are to facilitate the two sectors of the state and market , and purpose of NGOs is not to replace any. Very limited literature is available on the working conditions of the under valued and unrecognized frontline staff of NGOs in the developing world. This study also highlights activities that NGOs are doing in Punjab, Pakistan through its fieldworkers. It aims at exploring their personal and professional problems and how these in turn affect project or development activities. Conceptually, exploitation hampers working conditions of the fieldworkers which deteriorates their development activities. From a broad social science perspective, main strength of this work is the empirical approach. A bold decision was taken to conduct extensive fieldwork and to apply both multi - level analysis and mixed methods research design. While questionnaires gathered quantitative data and information through stratified random sampling , case studies demonstrated the most useful information in this study . Semi - structured interviews ( SSIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and meetings with stakeholders enlightened the study further. Data w as collected through questionnaires from 150 fieldworkers . Only one - fifth of the se fieldworkers were thoroughly interviewed in order to get an insight into their working conditions as well as their social background to understand them well . An even number from each gender was included in all categories to avoid gender bias . Personal surveys were conducted in Punjab, Pakistan to get first - hand information. Electronic means of communication , including telephone and electronic mail , were also used to interview the respondents – especially , for those respondents that were either too busy to meet in person or did not feel comfortable to be accessed personally due to the continued war on terror (WOT) . The quantitative data obtained w as analyzed using simple analytical tools , and the major part of the information that was qual itative in nature was analyzed qualitatively. NGO - practitioners (including NGO - related officials , academia , think tanks, and donors) steer the activities of NGOs and their fieldworkers. Therefore , it is important to view and analyze their perception rega rding NGOs and their fieldworkers. In this study, an insight into the practitioners‟ perception and opinion of NGOs and their fieldworkers is also explored. Practitioners are found to be inadequately informed about on - the - ground realities. Interviewees‟ re sponse on working with NGOs is n ot encouraging. As many as 13.33% did not give their view ; even those interviewees that re sponded with a positive opinion only described their experience as satisfactory. Although satisfactory, interviewees still feel that NGOs have an important role to play and can work with the state. One respondent generalized, “NGOs are effective provided they are clear and committed” - the number that are clear and committed is yet to be determined. Perversely , global policies are a reason for poor achievement of objectives by NGOs because the aid which comes to the developing countries like Pakistan goes to the NGOs directly bypassing the governments. Although if the aid was given directly to the government then there would be some risk the corrupted officials would keep the aid for themselves, there would also be those officials who help in the direction and oversee the management of bi gger projects that NGOs are attempting to complete. As many as 16.67% practitioners mention development as the objective of NGOs, 13.33% of them consider sustainability the objective, and another 6.67% say that education and health are amongst the objectives. And even one interviewee felt that although serving the marginalized population is the written objective of NGOs, their executive staff members use them as an alternative source of income as a hidden objective. Through this study , bureaucratization ( w hich has not been successful in its present form in the country) is found creeping into the NGO sector in Pakistan and is becoming a threat to their distinctive way of working . Findings depict that the selected national NGO has a matrix organizational structure while four regional and five local NGOs have functional organizational structures. These ideas of bureaucracy and division of power are against the spirit of humanitarianism – the distinctive character of NGOs. This bureaucratization appears to stem from issues surrounding funding which is a challenge that NGOs are constantly vulnerable to. Funding is an important aspect regarding NGOs. Generally the respondents have negative connotations regarding the source, the amount, and the way the funding for N GOs is spent. Amongst the practitioners, 23% of the interviewees reported that NGOs are mostly foreign - funded. Some of them felt that NGOs get a reasonable amount of funding through both international and national channels. Some felt that the source of fun ding is not the issue but how the funding is spent is the core issue. A quarter of them felt that the funding is misused. The respondents also complained that NGOs emphasize only on those projects for which they receive funding. NGOs are further faced wit h many internal issues. The major professional problems include detrimental procedures, gender bias, working beyond normal hours, lesser salaries , and few benefits. Although enigma of NGOs con tinues to override the plight the p ercolation of bureaucracy and internal issues smother this enigma . Thus, the benefit thereof is questioned. Even the fieldworkers, who work solely to uplift the poor in Pakistan, feel disappointed at the present state of NGOs. Their exploitation shoves them to quit. Findings of this research warn that the situation may worsen if proper measures are not taken. Through analysis of the findings, it is envisaged that the overall languid attitude of stakeholders (including clients, local influential figures, NGO management, and practitioners) is putting the benefit of NGOs on stake in the study area. This dissertation tries to make a substantial addition to the academic literature - a solid contribution to the literature on NGOs and Civil Society in the context of Pakistan. This study recommends capacity building of NGO managers and fieldworkers . Effectual state intrusion guaranteeing adequate service structure is the dire need. This study suggests that NGOs need to stick to their original developmental style in order to serve the poor. A harassment policy should be provided and implemented . Materializing on achievement of desired impact on development through indigenous solutions and breaking free from the aid paradigm is the u tmost recommendation. One of the biggest lessons learn t through this study that can be addressed is that the working conditions of the fieldworkers directly affect the development activities th at NGOs carry out in Punjab, Pakistan . This study suggests that NGOs should continue to stick to their original developmental way of work ; o therwise, they may lose their distinction as well as their effectiveness |