Committee to oversee implementation of NAP

CM orders strengthening of Counter Terrorism Department

PESHAWAR:

It has been decided to constitute a high level committee with the aim to regularly oversee the implementation of the recommendations of National Action Plan (NAP) across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

The decision was taken at a high level meeting regarding law and order held Friday with K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair.

The meeting reviewed thoroughly the overall security situation of the province including the newly merged districts and expressed concern over the increasing lawlessness and attacks on Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in certain parts of the province.

It took a number of decisions after threadbare discussion on various matters.

The participants stressed the need for result oriented steps under a joint strategy by all the stakeholders to control lawlessness and terrorism in the province and police was directed to take necessary steps to this end.

Special assistant to CM on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Chief Secretary Dr Shehzad Bangash, Inspector General Police Moazzam Jah Ansari, Principal Secretary to CM Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Home Yahya Akhwanzada, Commissioner Peshawar Riaz Mehsud and other civil and military officials attended the meeting.

Briefing the participants of the meeting, it was revealed that the current situation in the neighboring Afghanistan had a direct impact on security in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

The participants were informed that lawlessness and attacks on Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) had increased in certain parts of the province and threats level was also on the higher side.

Despite this, LEAs were fully prepared to deal with such challenges in an effective manner and they had achieved success during crackdown against miscreants all over the province.

It was decided at the meeting to revisit the security plans of education institutions and sensitive places in the province, and to put in place foolproof security plan for the purpose.

The meeting also stressed the need to improve the existing system of investigation and prosecution in order to make it aligned with the challenges of the modern world and concerned quarters were directed to propose necessary amendments in the relevant laws for the purpose.

Talking on this occasion, the chief minister directed the high ups of LEAs to gear up intelligence based operations against miscreants and to focus special attention on result-oriented actions against drug peddlers and extortionists.

He further directed the officials to come up with solid proposals to further strengthen police specially the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in order to enable it to effectively deal with the emerging situation.

The chief minister assured that the provincial government will fully support police and all the required resources would be provided on priority basis to strengthen LEAs and they would be fully equipped and armed.

He lauded the performance of the LEAs in achieving remarkable success during actions against miscreants and said that our LEAs had the capacity to deal with any kind of challenge effectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2022.