Official sources told Dawn on Monday that the decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at the interior ministry with Interior Minister Rehman Malik in the chair.

During a recent visit to Lahore on Friday, Mr Malik appealed to the people to be vigilant and provide information about suspicious people and unusual happenings to law-enforcement agencies.

The minister said that people should use their mobile phones to make video clips of terrorists and their activities and provide these to security agencies.

The meeting chalked out a comprehensive plan how to curb terrorist attacks and steps to be taken to strengthen the security apparatus.

The meeting was of the view that the government and the army would not be able to eliminate extremism and terrorism unless they had the support of the people.

The meeting was also attended by interior secretary, FIA Director General, Civil Defence Director General, Nadra chairman, National Aliens Registration Authority Director General and Inspector General of Islamabad Police.

The meeting also decided to form an Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) comprising volunteers and the task to set up the force was given to the Civil Defence Department.