Internal security policy: Govt plans intelligence coordinating centre

Interior minister says joint directorate will coordinate work and share information among 26 agencies.

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday unveiled a government plan to create a joint intelligence directorate that will coordinate and share intelligence among 26 security agencies.

“We will kick off a fresh debate on the proposed internal security policy, a move to channelise intelligence sharing with 26 intelligence wings of the country,” Nisar told journalists at an informal interaction following the last-minute cancellation of a scheduled press conference.



He said the government is likely to fine-tune the proposed ‘internal security policy’ once Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gives the go-ahead in the federal cabinet meeting today (Monday).

“The new policy will be useful and will help restore peace in the country,” the minister said. Four key components have been identified, including a secret part, a strategic part, dialogue and military operation.



He said the new policy aimed at protecting people by enhancing the capacity of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

“The policy, which will be implemented in a year, contains steps to protect all areas of Pakistan by using the latest technology,” he said.

Under the policy, he said, the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) would be the focal point for tackling militancy.

“A Rapid Response Force supported by an air wing will be set up at federal level which will respond to attacks within minutes,” he explained.

Security threats to media houses

“The committee assessing the security threats to media houses is likely to meet on Friday or Saturday,” Nisar said, adding that the meeting of the two-member panel would not be held on Wednesday due to the current law and order situation.



He said it was impossible for the government to provide security to everyone but it would work with close coordination of media houses to resolve their problems

“The committee will present a workable solution to address security threats to media houses soon,” he added.

The two-member committee will immediately contact media houses and assess the security threats faced by them.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2014.