The government on Thursday introduced two bills in the National Assembly, including the National Counter Terrorism Authority Bill, 2013 and the Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Bill 2013. Both bills were piloted by Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of National Counter Terrorism Authority Bill says that it reflects Pakistan’s resolve to take all possible measures to counter terrorism and extremism. The bill addresses the need for a focal institution to integrate and synergise national counterterrorism and counter-extremism efforts in view of the nature and magnitude of terrorist threat, present strategic policy options to the government for consideration/implementation by the stakeholders after scientifically studying the phenomenon of extremism and terrorism.
