ISLAMABAD: After the release of about Rs1 billion by the finance ministry, the induction of staff for making the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) fully functional was approved at a meeting presided over by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan here on Wednesday.

According the interior ministry’s spokesman, the meeting was informed that the first instalment of Rs1.06bn had been released for Nacta by the finance ministry.

It is for the first time that such a hefty amount has been allocated for the authority since its creation in 2009. The nationwide anti-terrorism authority is currently being run without formal staff and by less than 10 officers.

Also read: Proactive Nacta

The Finance Division has released the first instalment against Nacta’s demand for Rs1.89bn.

“The remaining amount will be given to Nacta soon,” the minister said.

He asked Nacta officials to expedite the induction of staff because the main constraint of lack of funds had been resolved.

The need for preparing the authority’s service rules was also stressed. It had been observed by the Senate last week that one of the reasons for non-functioning of Nacta was that it lacked service rules.

The authority was set up by the last PPP government to gather intelligence reports from all agencies and implement a counter-terrorism strategy.

Its powers were increased through parliamentary legislation in 2013.

HUMAN SMUGGLING: Officials of the Federal Investigation Agency have conducted 122 raids and arrested 177 people, including proclaimed offenders, two most wanted persons and six absconders, in a crackdown against human smuggling.

The minister asked the FIA to not only arrest individuals but bust their gangs, including facilitators.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2015