March, 28 2005	Monday	17 Safar 1426

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RAWALPINDI, March 27: The government has decided to upgrade crises management cells in the Punjab and Sindh, besides establishing such facilities in the remaining provinces, an official source told Dawnon Sunday. The source said a National crisis Management Cell, headed by a director-general, was already working at the interior ministry in Islamabad. Similarly, provincial crises management cells established in Lahore and Karachi would be reactivated and upgraded, he added.

The source said the purpose of establishing these cells was to evolve a mechanism for timely sharing of vital information regarding the law and order situation in the country. After setting up of the crises management cells, all the law-enforcement agencies would be directed to provide timely and accurate information to the National Crisis Management Cell so that an effective strategy could be chalked out to counter the damage, he added.

The source said the issue of establishing the cells was discussed in a high-level meeting on law and order held recently. The provincial governments were also asked to identify buildings for setting up the crises management cells in the provincial capitals.

He said all the provincial authorities had been directed to send detailed reports on important incidents to the interior ministry in the federal capital.

The source said the Punjab government had taken various steps to counter terrorism and improve the law and order situation, which included registration of Madressahs. Activities at the Madressahs are being monitored closely through district governments and intelligence agencies, he added.