Govt targets social media activities of terrorists

The meeting was informed that the 206 terrorists were killed in 7,984 IBOs till October this year.

ISLAMABAD:

The Coordination Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) decided on Tuesday to implement "comprehensive measures" to curb the activities of banned terrorist organizations on social media, including blocking their accounts and SIM cards.

The NAP coordination committee, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, convened to discuss the issue. The meeting also decided to enhance coordination between the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) and the provinces. To this end, the National Fusion Centre (NFC) has been established.

"It was decided to take comprehensive measures to prevent the activities of banned terrorist organisations on social media. In this regard, with the cooperation of PTA [Pakistan Telecommunication Authority], the accounts of terrorist groups will be blocked," said a statement issued after the meeting.

The statement added that the provinces would take steps under a comprehensive strategy to stop the usage of illegal subscriber identification modules (SIMs). "The top officials of all relevant institutions, including the PTA, were directed to present an effective mechanism in the next meeting," it added.

The meeting was informed that the 206 terrorists were killed in 7,984 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) till October this year. The interior minister condemned the recent incidents of terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

He emphasised that full cooperation would be provided to improve the professional capabilities of the counter-terrorism forces in Balochistan and K-P to deal with terrorism, adding that the police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) would be strengthened.

"Everyone has to work together to improve the law and order situation," the statement quoted Naqvi as saying in the meeting. Along with increasing capacity, he said, the police of all provinces should be equipped with modern technology.

The minister announced that the government would fulfil the needs of the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) on a priority basis and "directed all the agencies to submit a report about their requirements to the interior ministry within seven days", the statement said.

In the meeting, Nacta National Coordinator Khalid Khattak gave a briefing on the implementation of the decisions of second review meeting. Naqvi stressed that reforms had been initiated in Nacta, and the original role of Nacta was being restored. Nacta will play a leading role in the fight against terrorism."

The arrangements for the security of Chinese citizens were also reviewed. Interior Minister Naqvi directed the relevant authorities to fully implement of the foolproof security plan prepared for the protection of Chinese citizens in Pakistan.

The meeting also reviewed the progress on the decisions taken to counter terrorism, including the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Authority in Islamabad. The minister also said that the Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) would be strengthened to prevent narcotics smuggling in the coastal areas.

The meeting was attended by the interior secretary, NACTA National Coordinator, inspectors general of all provinces and Islamabad as well as the Railways Police, FC commandant and senior officials of the interior ministry and the LEAs.