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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday constituted a special committee for the implementation of the National Action Plan for counter-terrorism.
"I will personally supervise the implementation of the National Action Plan and will make sure that it is swift and effective," Prime Minister Nawaz said during a meeting on the plan, adding that Operation Zarb-i-Azb was in progress in the tribal areas and that another operation would be launched against terrorists in major cities.
Sources in the Prime Minister House told Dawn that the special committee would be chaired by the premier himself while other members would include Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Information Minister Pervez Rashid, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz.
Moreover, the premier directed Attorney General Salman Butt to consult legal experts, legal bodies and political parties to finalise constitutional amendments in connection with military courts.
The National Action Plan was drafted in the wake of the Peshawar school attack to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism. A parliamentary committee had been formed in this regard which evaluated the post Peshawar tragedy scenario and discussed necessary laws and amendments in relation to terrorism.
Govt constitutes federal counter-terrorism force
The government has constituted a federal counter-terrorism force with immediate effect.
Official sources told Dawn that the force would work under the Ministry of Defence. "The force would be deployed across Pakistan and would be responsible solely for countering terrorism."
The force would also keep contact with civilian, military-intelligence security agencies and its counter-terrorism wings.
As a part of the National Action Plan, the government has been working to stop printing and publication of hate material promoting sectarianism. Constitutional amendments would also be introduced before the Parliament which would regulate printing of such publications as illegal.
Furthermore, the State Bank of Pakistan has been directed to supervise anti-terror financing in Pakistan and freeze all accounts which were being used for funding terrorists.
Comments (29) Closed
He shouldn't have told there'd be another operation in the cities. It is like giving the terrorists a heads up but maybe he's too angery and emotional and can't contain this.
The whole nation is still grieving over the brutal murder in Peshawar :'(
Special committee members nominated by Nawaz Sharif are all incompetent , I don't expect much from them.
Let's hope nation stands by the political & security forces. Good luck Pakistan n the PM.
We are with you PM. Just like we were the day you announced the successful nuclear tests.
Our PTI friends are a bit quiet of late. Must be preparing for the rally in Islamabad on jan 17. Shame!
Committee upon committee. No ground work so far............................
Yet another committee. The word committee has become nauseating now
Comittee per commitee..committee per committee...
We need another committee that would assess performance of this committee.
Nation has been suffering under terrorism for a long time. Hopefully, something done soon to stop this vicous cycle of terror, target killing and bhatta khori, before more pakistani citizen fall victim to this curse.
@responsible Yes, enough of committees. There have been too many committees, speeches & slogans, need ACTION.
Lo gayi bhains pani mein.
Committee to oversee another committee to oversee another committee like Russian dolls. To pay those committees take loan. To repay first loan take second loan. Then third loan and so on.
committee, committee, committee, committee, committee, committee, committee, committee, committee, and so on... where are actions Mr PM?
No thanks Nawaz sahib, general Sharif already has a plan. Your plans and committees is what got us here.
Take a look at the members: "Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pervez Rashid, Ahsan Iqbal, Defence Khawaja Asif and Sartaj Aziz". All inept and have absolutely no clue about how to run the affairs. The PM could not find a few competent people to run it?
Govt must demonstrate sincerity and commitment in dealing with current crisis this is not the first tragedy what lessons did govt learn from the past
@AXH: We should be thankful that NS kept Irfan Siddiqui, the lover of Mullah Omer, out of this committee!!
This is all drama to divert the attention of the masses, and in the meanwhile they can secure the massive amount of wealth, the people's wealth. The nations who are void of self respect and integrity deserve people like these to rule over them.
the usual suspects now form the Action Plan Committee as a fig leaf to cover that the Army is in control . A soft intervention has already taken place
When these people will learn? Pakistanis are sick and tired of the word "committee".
In Nawaz government there are lots of committee but no commitment or action.
I am not very much impressed with the National Action Plan. The government may not understand the issue of terrorism or they are just too timid to take an action that is needed. It lacks a strategy and does not clearly defines the goals and objectives. I am sure there are people in the government who can address the whole issue.
Mr. PM, you should have included some other experts, instead of the same, you are including in all, that would have been great, otherwise noting is going to change with the names you include in committee, regards
Kudos Mr. Prime Minister! The citizens of your country are counting on your swift and meaningful response to the menace of terrorism. Well begun is half done!
This is a waste of time with all these incompetent people in another committee. Why can't he appoint somebody who can deliver?
Thought I should say something about this committee business -- NS thinks people are stupid But then I read the comments /- People really are not stupid after all ----- but then who keeps on voting for ____.
Mr PM. Committee ka Shair.
This is what -- a 100th committee ? Who needs terrorists when Pakistan has this !
Terrorists actually should sit back ------ these incompetent politicians are enough to rip Pakistan apart.
No hope for Pakistan --- whether it's the terrorists or these politicians
These politicians are enough to sink Pakistan.
I say -- once and for all -- Pakistan should do away with this sham democracy drama. Enough people have suffered and died ( one way or other ) in the name of democracy --- Western type of democracy doesn't work in Pakistan or a Muslim country. --- the glory days of Muslims -- which was a democracy ? Muslims have gone down since they've been trying to follow western model.
What is the delay. Are we waiting for culprits to run away from the jail or is this another conspiracy? Are we not being cruel to the innocent lives lost in Peshawar.
How many more committees? tying to save the banned outfits in Punjab by delaying action