Islamabad: Terrorist attacks decreased by 27 per cent in Pakistan in 2016, as 734 terror incidents were recorded, compared to 1,010 in the year 2015.
Briefing the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on the Interior on Tuesday, the national coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Ihsan Gani, said data from a US country report showed deaths from terrorist attacks in Pakistan in 2016 were down by 12.14 per cent, with 955 people killed last year, compared to 1,087 who died in attacks in 2015.
He said because of success in the Karachi operation, targeted killings were down by 97 per cent, while the murder rate decreased by 87 per cent. Terrorism incidents were reduced by 98 per cent and robberies were down by 52 per cent while 33,378 weapons were recovered, he added.
Talking about problem of militancy in Punjab, he said there was visible improvement in the law and order situation in the province.
The committee meeting was chaired by Rana Shamim Ahmad Khan.
The NACTA chief said the security situation in Balochistan province had also improved and the surrender and rehabilitation of outlaws was in progress.
He said at least 98.3 million SIMs were blocked. and a biometric verification system was put in place, to stop misuse of communication networks by criminal elements.
The committee was told the federal cabinet approved the repatriation and management policy for Afghan refugees.
The Proof of Registration (POR) cards issued to Afghan refugees were valid up to December 31, 2017, he said and visa forms were developed to streamline the movement of Afghan citizens across the border.
He said the tripartite agreement for voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees has been extended for one more year.
The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions in consultation with NADRA has finalised the operational plan for documentation of unregistered Afghan refugees.
A draft National Refugee Law had been developed and shared with relevant stakeholders, Ihsan Gani added.
He said madrasas were considered as partners and supporters, adding their data forms were being finalised in consultation with religious scholars and federal and provincial stakeholders.
Implementation on the data collection project would start soon and there would be uniform system of audit and account for madaris, he added.
The NC said the federal cabinet had approved in principle recommendations of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) reform committee.
The committee was informed that the effective implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) registered significant improvement in overall law and order and internal security situation in the country including visible downward trend in terrorism incidents that established writ of the government.
Ihsan Gani admitted that the progress on some elements of NAP was slow as it required resources, legislation and support of international and other partners which was a time consuming exercise.
The committee also discussed the bill of MNA Shazia Marri on Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Employment of Children Bill and bill of Kishwer Zehra on the Welfare of Religious Scholars and Ulema.
The committee also discussed progress report on the status of blocked CNICs of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
