Punjab govt approves Rs35m for counter-terrorism department

LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved Rs 35 million for the formation of a counter-terrorism department in the province.

The decision to set up the new department was taken in a meeting attended by Punjab Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khosa and other senior officials.

The new department will not work under the Punjab Police and will report directly to Chief Minister Shahabaz Sharif.

Officials of the department will be trained by the army and foreign anti-terrorism experts will be hired for training in modern anti-terror techniques, Express 24/7 reported.

Earlier, it had been reported that the Punjab government was planning on establishing a Special Protection Force (SPF) for the security of VIPs.

Punjab already has an Elite Force (EF), which was established for counter terrorism and high risk operations against criminals. The EF is now being used allegedly for the security of VIPs and prominent personalities in the province.