ISLAMABAD: Some internal security experts have asked the government to ensure suitable organisational structure for National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) whereby authority would be commensurate with responsibility to fight against terrorism.
After horrifying incident of Bacha Khan University and severe criticism faced by the government, at least the website of Nacta was activated and they also convened meeting of experts in a bid to operationalise Nacta under the National Action Plan (NAP) in recent days.
The gist of discussions held during experts’ meeting found that there was still more talk than they came up with actionable plan with timelines to achieve the desired results.
In order to make Nacta functional, it requires state-of-the-art organisational structure at federal, provincial levels, implementable plan, quality human resource, uninterrupted financial resources, central command and control system and quality research institution having capability to collect information, formulate plans and then execute it in best national interest in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
However, the experts suggested that the size and duration of the challenge was not done realistically. The apex committees at provincial levels have very limited freedom of action or even desire to upset their respective vote banks by pursuing the NAP.
Nacta is not even visible as yet. The NAP is likely to take at least a generation if it is pursued vigorously. A suitable organisational structure where authority is commensurate with responsibility is needed to “fight against terrorism”. This should become a research topic.
There is need to revisit coordination among the Centre and provinces in the context of 18th Amendment. To start with, at least law and order, education and information must be made concurrent subjects. Similarly, the religious elements in the Constitution that promote extremism and sectarian hatred ought to be revisited and amended gradually through consensus.
Insurgents and militants either become foot soldiers and pawns due to money or indeed, have genuine grudge against the governance. Many a times, the issues are manageable if ego of office is set aside. Judiciary has become distant from NAP or the ground realities. Circumstantial evidence is routinely being ignored.
There must be a limit to the number of Madrassas and quality is important in the syllabus they taught. The Ministry of Education must coordinate with Wafaqul Madaris and no militant thought be promoted.
All over the country, subjects which teach Huqooqul Ebad, concept of sharing, respecting merit, tolerance, promoting acceptance of diversity, conflict resolution, anger management, regional and global issues and their good and weak points, comparative study of other religions must be taught from primary right up to the higher education level.
Aggressive positive dissemination of information is badly needed, here and abroad. The Foreign Office and diplomats must be taken on board. Negative propaganda by terrorists, extremists and separatists ought to be countered regularly.
Post Conflict Rehabilitation & De-Radicalisation should be made an integral part of Nacta and NAP. Fighting Terrorism within the country does not make the entire class enemy forever. Efforts must be made to recover the recoverable and help settle the displaced families.
Proposals for Research and Policy: The ideas highlighted should be converted into research topics and entrusted to a balanced small group. The policy recommendations can then be gleaned and submitted to the prime minister for approval after debate at appropriate level.
The envisaged NAP cannot be accomplished unless some political/ bureaucratic quarters relinquish existing powers and a new organisation is created both at federal and provincial levels straddling political and bureaucratic powers and directly answerable to the prime minister.http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/95039-Security-experts-seek-changes-in-organisational-structure-of-Nacta
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