Counterterrorism plan: K-P to have its own spy agency

CM Pervez Khattak says health policy will be presented next week.

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will have its own intelligence agency to tackle terrorism, said Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference to mark the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) first three months in government, the CM divulged on the province’s counterterrorism plan. Khattak said the provincial government will hire youth from the province to run the intelligence agency. “They will be trained to cope with any incident of terrorism.”

The CM also revealed that the government plans to install close circuit television cameras (CCTV) in multiple areas in the province. In order to enhance the efficiency of the police department, CCTVs will be fixed in all police stations.

Speaking about the DI Khan jailbreak, Khattak said he has received the inquiry report. “We did not have any prior information about the attack; if we did, we would have called the army for help.”

He rejected all criticism against his party and the government and said no minister, advisor or the government as a whole faces any charges of corruption. He reiterated the coalition government’s determination to eliminate corruption from all government services.

The provincial accountability commission will make officers accountable and those who do not perform will be fired, he said, adding, “The previous government was selling government jobs while we will ensure merit.”

The government is taking ‘revolutionary steps’ to provide free and easy healthcare facilities to the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the chief minister said, adding, “Our government is going to present the provincial health policy next week.” In the policy, one billion rupees have been allocated to deal with emergencies.

He counted the Right to Information Ordinance, an accountability commission and reforms in health and education as the main successes of his government.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2013.