Pre-emptive measures: Chief minister approves intelligence school for CTD

The meeting also gave approval to buy 25 armored carriers and water cannons for the CTD

LAHORE:

The Punjab government on Friday announced that it would establish an intelligence school for the Counter-Terrorism Department. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif approved the project in a meeting.

A senior official who attended the meeting told The Express Tribune that the school would be established at the CTD Headquarters in Lahore. It would have regional offices in nine districts.

As many as 400 corporals of the Counter-Terrorism Force have so far passed out. By the end of this month, 400 more will join and another batch of 400 will graduate in August. There are three wings of the CTF - intelligence, operations and investigations. “The school will train corporals on intelligence gathering with a focus on technical aspects,” the official said.

The chief minister also approved a service structure for corporals on the basis of their efficiency. An additional inspector general of police will head the CTF.

“The project has been approved. Intelligence gathering models from other countries will be studied for the school. Corporals will have rapid promotions on the basis of performance besides their routine work. They will also be trained to handle riots,” the official said. The chief minister also approved the purchase of 25     armoured carriers and water cannons for the CTD.

Sharif also reviewed the overall law and order situation. The chief minister said that the country was in mourning after two churches were attacked in Youhanabad. He said the lynching of two people that followed the attacks should also be condemned.

He said those involved in terrorism would be arrested and justice would be served. The chief minister said that improving intelligence was imperative to curbing terrorism.

The meeting also decided to take steps to upgrade the Special Branch. The chief minister suggested training intelligence officers.

He said a plan for the reorganisation of the Special Branch should be prepared as soon as possible.

He said the Punjab government had set up a fully-trained counter-terrorism force and its second batch would graduate soon.  Ministers Shuja Khanzada and Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, MNA Hamza Shahbaz, MPAs Rana Sanaullah and Syed Zaeem Husain Qadri, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool, the chief secretary, Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Ahmad Sukehra and the secretaries of Home, Prosecution and Information departments were among those present at the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2015.