Countering terrorism: Special police stations on the cards

CTD to get additional personnel, budget to man five new police stations across Sindh

KARACHI: In a bid to revamping the counter terrorism force of the province, the Sindh government has decided to establish special police stations at the divisional level and recruit around 780 personnel for anti-terrorist operations.

Keeping in view the high risk involved in such duties, it has been recommended that the take-home monthly salary of the officials posted at these police stations not be less than Rs50,000 to Rs60,000.

The new police stations and personnel will become part of the already existing Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Sindh police.

Sources in the home department revealed that the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the US Embassy in Islamabad has pledged Rs60 million to construct five police stations in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and Larkana while the Sindh government has estimated a cost of Rs205 million for establishing the infrastructure, etc. at the police stations.

According to official documents available with The Express Tribune, the government has already notified three counter terrorism police stations in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur and the home secretary has been directed to expedite the process so the project can begin as soon as possible.

Regarding the force's renewed mandate, officials said cases of bomb blasts, target killings, kidnappings for ransom and terror financing, among others, will be dealt by this force. Gathering of intelligence on terrorists/sectarian activities, technical support for special operations and investigation, research and analyses and aiding in prosecution of terrorism cases will also be the responsibility of this force. The intelligence collection about terrorists/sectarian activities, technical support of special operations and investigation, research and amylases and prosecution of terrorism cases will also be the responsibility of this force.

"The force will be trained by the Pakistan Army and its personnel will be provided high-end technical training, modern gadgets and the most effective weaponry," CTD Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi submitted in his proposal to the home department. He added that the CTD, previously known as the Crime Investigation Department, has been provided 188 personnel but most of the cops do not fulfill the criteria laid out for counter terror operations, therefore it is necessary to appoint more people with tactical training, the latest weapons and technological know-how.

Sindh home secretary Riaz Soomro said the CTD has been playing the role of the lead agency in fighting terrorism over the years but the monster of terrorism has grown in size, therefore it is high time to upgrade the department. Giving further details, official sources said one additional IG, SSPs, 19 DSPs, 36 inspectors, 65 sub-inspectors, 103 assistant sub-inspectors, 148 head constables and 394 constables will be working in the department now.

"Around Rs50 million will be allocated for monthly salaries of the force while the yearly non-development expenditure will exceed Rs600 million," said an official, adding that the constable and head constable will draw Rs50,000 to Rs60,000 per month while the take-home salary of an assistant sub-inspector and inspector will be around Rs100,000 to Rs160,000.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2016.