August 21, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 18, 1429

LAHORE, Aug 20: In order to counter terrorism, the Punjab government has decided to activate the special intelligence agency (SIA), working under the administrative control of home department, Dawn has learnt.

A senior government officer, seeking anonymity, told Dawn on Wednesday that the SIA, which was already operating in the Home Department without positive outcomes, would devise strategies to counter terrorism threats and share intelligence with other law-enforcement agencies.

He said the agency would also provide necessary information to Elite Force to carry out raids against anti-social elements.

The Elite Force personnel are highly trained and assist district police in situations that need expertise with high-risk searches, raids and rescue operations.

The Elite Force personnel are trained to a high degree of skill in use of firearms, personal combat and reconnaissance missions.

The official said post of the SIA director was lying vacant and the provincial government had created the post of chairman to head the agency. He said the 50 to 60 intelligence experts comprised the agency.

Meanwhile, according to a notification issued by the services and general administration department, Maj Mushtaq Ahmad (retired) has been appointed SIA chairman against a newly-created post on a contract basis.

Currently, Maj Mushtaq is security adviser to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz patron Nawaz Sharif. He is former additional inspector general of police and director-general of the Federal Investigation Agency.