QUETTA: A meeting of the Apex Committee, presided over by Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, has decided to pursue zero tolerance policy on terrorism and vowed to purge Balochistan of the menace of terrorism by implementing the National Action Plan (NAP).

Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, provincial Home Minister Meer Zia Langove, Chief Secretary Dr Akhtar Nazeer and civil and military officials attended the meeting.

It decided to prevent negative propaganda against national security institutions and take measures to effectively highlight the state’s narrative.

Reviewing action against terrorist groups and their funding networks, the apex committee directed law enforcement agencies to establish strong communication for carrying out decisive action against armed groups disturbing peace.

Expressing satisfaction over declining crime rate in Balochistan, the committee decided to beef up security on all national highways in the province.

The apex committee reviewed the security situation in the province and decided to expand the network of the Counter Terrorism Department across Balochistan.

It stressed the need for strong prosecution system, prevention of cyber crime, fostering religious harmony, protection of rights of minorities and adequate security for their places of worship.

The committee was given briefing on Quetta and Gwadar safe city projects and resolved to expedite progress on the projects by removing hurdles.

It decided to launch programmes to provide skill development training to militants who had surrendered and their children. The provincial government and Pakistan Army would make joint efforts to launch training programmes. The committee also reviewed progress in the implementation of the decision made by it in its previous meetings.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2019