Fighting militancy: G-B to have its own department to counter terrorism

CID will be merged with new force in region

GILGIT: Keeping in mind the volatile law and order situation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s initiation, the government has decided to set up the counter-terrorism department in Gilgit-Baltistan.

“The initiative is aimed at dealing militants with an iron fist,” an official of the G-B Chief Minister Secretariat said on Thursday. Speaking to The Express Tribune, he said the Crime Investigation Department will be merged with the new force. “It was important because mega projects like the CPEC will pass through the region,” he added.



The official said the CTD will be headed by AIGP Tanveerul Hasan. Hasan’s appointment has formally been notified by G-B police chief Captain (retd) Zafar Awan in light of the CM’s directives. Department staffers will be trained and provided with modern facilities.

In limbo

CM Hafeezur Rehman has taken notice of the excessive delay in the completion of the G-B Legislative Assembly building. “Public money was embezzled continually and no action was taken,” he said.

Owing to the delay in construction and a lack of attention from previous governments, the lawmakers have no official place to stay in Gilgit.

“What is unusual is that those responsible for the misappropriation have actually been paid escalated charges despite the delay,” he said, urging the public works department to initiate legal action against the contractor.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2015.