Islamabad: Pakistan’s cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft law to establish a new counter terrorism body aimed at better coordinating efforts to defeat Taliban and Al-Qaida-linked violence, a minister said.
Pakistan says 35,000 people have been killed as a result of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks and the 2001 US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan.
Suicide attacks, roadside bombings and shootings are a near day-to-day reality, particularly in parts of the northwest near the Afghan border.
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the main objective was to defeat terrorism, but he provided no details on exactly how the new organisation would help.
“The cabinet today approved the National Counter-Terrorism Authority Bill the need for which has been felt for a long time,” Kaira told reporters after a regular cabinet meeting.
To come into effect the bill needs to be approved by parliament and signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari.
Kaira said the new authority would “devise policies and improve coordination among provincial governments and intelligence agencies” as well as “research and devise long-term policies to defeat” the terrorist mindset.
“The authority may suggest changes in curriculum, drama and films and it can also suggest introducing modern education in madrassas,” Kaira said.
Previous attempts to reform religious seminaries, considered nurseries for recruits to the Taliban and other extremist organisations, have born little fruit.
Pakistan is scheduled to hold general elections in the first half of next year.
The process would mark the first time that a democratically elected civilian government completes a full term in office and is replaced by another elected administration.
