Internal security

Executive summary of comprehensive package of NAP

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Ever since NAP has been launched, there has been decline in violence in the country. This decline needs to be sustained by simultaneously addressing the much deeper issues, going beyond the militaristic quick fixes. Without addressing those issues, the fear of return to violence lurks behind. It was in late December 2014 that the Prime … Read more

Sectarian violence in Parachinar: Backgrounder on NAP actions against sectarian terrorists

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Sectarian terrorists hit a make-shift market in Parachinar on December 13 killing 25 people and wounding more than 60 others. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al-Aalmi and South Waziristan-based Ansarul Mujahideen separately claimed responsibility for the attack. Historically, Kurram Agency has been a hotspot of sectarian violence between local Sunni and Shia tribes. But in the past few years, … Read more

Fighting terror: institutional structure in the context of NAP

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Azam Khan and Aamir Saeed The National Action Plan, announced after the December 16 attack, enlists 20 points meant to fight terrorism in the country. To undertake these points, the government constituted several committees. A central coordinating body NACTA was already tasked to collaborate on counter-terror information. Above all, apex committees comprising civil-military leadership were … Read more

Timeline of NAP actions

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Timeline of NAP actions When? What? The source? Dec. 30, 2014 The five religious educational boards agreed to consider government proposal of adding modern education in their syllabus. Dawn, December 31, 2014, http://www.dawn.com/news/1154216/seminaries-agree-to-consider-incorporating-modern-education. Jan. 1, 2015 The federal government has set up three special courts in three provincial capitals to try terror suspects The Nation, January 2, … Read more

Special courts

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In light of National Action Plan, several military-led special courts have been set up across the country. Today, they operate with secrecy. This sets wrong precedent. In any case, military courts are not the solution to cut in militancy in the long-range. What is needed is a long-term strategy, which, instead of dismantling the constitutional … Read more

NACTA, nay activated

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One had thought that the horrific terrorist attack on Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014 would evoke a robust response. Much hope was pinned on the National Action Plan, a list of actions the government announced to fight terrorism in the country.[1]Not least, because the National Counter Terrorism Authority [NACTA], is often taken … Read more

Stopping the banned groups

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While the NAP lays down a comprehensive framework for combating the entire spectrum of the terrorist threat in Pakistan, its seventh point calls for taking steps against “re-emergence of banned militant organizations.” Clampdown Almost immediately after NAP was released in January, a spurt of activity followed. Sub committees headed by federal ministers to monitor each … Read more

Establishing a counter terrorism force

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Many efforts similar to NAP were made in the past. In May 2014, for instance, the National Internal Security Policy (NISP) 2014-18 was presented, having many features similar to the NAP such as: reforming madrassas, building capacity of security forces, raising anti-terrorist force, enhancing coordination among security agencies, dealing with Afghan refugees, and curbing terrorist … Read more