National Action Plan: Raheel wants anti-terror plan swiftly executed

Directs intelligence agencies, other authorities to begin process on an urgent basis.

ISLAMABAD:

Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Thursday directed intelligence agencies and other authorities concerned to begin steps ‘on an urgent basis’ for the speedy and effective implementation of the new anti-terror plan approved by the civil-military leadership a day before.

Gen Raheel passed the directives chairing a meeting of senior officials, including the heads of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI), at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting reviewed all activities which the army and intelligence agencies will undertake as part of the National Action Plan against terrorism. The plan, which was approved at the multiparty huddle held at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday, envisages a series of new measures including the establishment of special trial courts run by the military officials.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who hosted the conference, said Pakistan had changed after the massacre of over 130 students at the Army Public School in Peshawar. He made it clear that there would be no place for those who were spreading extremism, terrorism and violence.



The new plan came days after the barbaric attack in Peshawar has given significant role to the military, which is already undertaking massive operations against the militants in the tribal areas.

With the new strategy, the ongoing operation will be expanded to other parts of the country. Reports suggested that intelligence agencies have rounded up at least 400 suspects, mostly Afghan nationals, in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

ISPR Director General Maj-Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa told The Express Tribune that Gen Raheel spent a whole day with top officials in GHQ even on public holiday to chalk out a plan against terrorists.

According to ISPR, the army chief reaffirmed his resolve in ‘unequivocal terms’ to root out the menace of terrorism and extremism from the country. He paid rich tributes to the national political leadership of the country for what he called their spirit and unwavering resolve to rid Pakistan of terrorism through reforms and administrative measures. Gen Raheel hoped that, in keeping with confidence and trust of the nation, the country can transform this consensus into practical actions on ground.


Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2014.