Counter terrorism: Shahbaz says he cannot decide ATF's fate

PSP officers say the new anti-terror force would be counter-productive.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif told the inspector general of police on Thursday that the reservations of some police officers notwithstanding, he could not rule the federal government decision on a new anti-terrorism force, The Express Tribune has learnt.

IGP Khan Baig met the chief minister at his Model Town residence. Sources said the chief minister told Baig that the decision regarding the formation of an independent anti-terrorism force had belonged with the federal government. However, he said there would be consultation.

Earlier on Thursday, a delegation comprising five senior police officers met Baig to discuss concerns of PSP association’s officers.

The delegation included PSP President DIG Zulfiqar Hameed, Vice President SSP Hussain Habib Imtiaz, Secretary SSP Sohail Akhtar Sukhera, Sheikhupura DPO Humayun Bashir Tarar and former additional inspector general Aftab Cheema.



Baig assured the delegation their reservations would be conveyed to the chief minister.

A participant of the meeting on condition of anonymity said the IG told officers present that a final decision on police reforms would be taken after consultation with the chief minister.

Another delegation member told The Express Tribune the officers also handed written submissions for the chief minister to the IGP.

In their memorandum, the PSP officers argued that forming an independent  counter-terrorism force would be “counter-productive.”

An independent ATF, they said, could result in less information-sharing,  weaker coordination between the departments involved and a “turf war” between law enforcement agencies and the new force.

The officers were also vehemently opposed to the Home Department taking over the Special Branch.

DIG Zulfiqar Hameed said only recently the CID had been changed to Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). Now the CTD was being dissolved to form an ATF under the control of the Home Department. He said the officers were of the view that a 'non-professional' home secretary was being given command of a core police function.

“How is the Home Department better equipped than the Police Department for fighting terrorism?” he asked rhetorically.

On Wednesday, the PSP officers had held a meeting at the CTO’s office to express their resentment over the proposed ATF. Several officials present had threatened to resign if their concerns were not addressed. Also on Wednesday a three member delegation of PSP Officers' Association had met Law Minister Rana Sanaullah to apprise him of their reservations.

Baig has scheduled a meeting with the PSPOA  at his camp office on Friday night.

A leading member said if they did not hear good news on Friday, some senior officers might register their protest by requesting to be posted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Sindh.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2013.