ISLAMABAD: The country’s first national security policy approved by the cabinet on Tuesday is aimed at rectifying mono-faceted approach to deal with the problems of terrorism and extremism.
An official told Dawn that the policy promises adoption of a multi-layered approach to address all dimensions of the menace at all levels and an institutionalised mechanism for swift information-sharing between intelligence agencies and the provinces.
There has so far been a lack of coordination between relevant law-enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, paramilitary forces and other departments concerned, he added.
He said the policy would ensure coordinated efforts to fill the gaps in the exercise and help promote a cohesive and concentrated action plan to fight terrorism and extremism.
“The current wave of terrorism appears to be one of the biggest threats to Pakistan which calls for an urgent, coordinated, effective and holistic approach,” he added.
The official said the vision of the policy was a peaceful Pakistan free from extremism and terrorism and adherence to Islamic tenets of peace, tolerance and universal brotherhood. “While rejecting the blinkered and bigoted interpretation of Islam, the policy rests on fundamental values of Islamic principles of peace and tolerance.”
He said terrorism and extremism espoused by the so-called ‘jihadi organisations’ contravenes the basic principles of Islam, realities of the modern world, socio-cultural ethos and the Constitution of Pakistan.
The jihadi groups also pose a serious threat to national security and the country’s democratic political system.
The policy envisages a coordinated and multi-layered response at federal, provincial and district levels under the supervision of the National Counter-Terrorism Authority as a national coordinator.
These functions will have to be performed at each tier of the government by designated organisations in partnership with Nacta.
The policy calls for enhancing capacity of civilian law-enforcement agencies, effective checking of terror-financing, protecting assets, buildings and other potential targets and improving the judicial system and anti-terror laws.
The counter-insurgency and terrorism framework will be developed to integrate military action with civilian follow-up leading to military’s withdrawal from affected areas.
The security apparatus of the state will be strengthened and police, as the first line of defence, will be given proper attention.
The policy also provides for a dynamic assessment system to periodically review the level of threat.
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