Implementing National Action Plan

The government can’t sublet everything to the army

A sound anti-terrorism policy is the first thing that the country needs. The second need is an efficient system of intelligence gathering and of timely action on the basis of information received. The NAP devised after a number of meetings between the government, opposition parties and the army high command comprises points that still need to be fully elucidated. It would therefore be premature to think that a full agreement on the Action Plan has been evolved.

The demand by the army for the formation of the military courts had met with strong resistance not only from the PPP, ANP and MQM but also from religious parties. While their leadership was persuaded to agree to the formation of military courts on the basis of the formidable challenge posed by the terrorist networks, the critics of the move would wait to see the exact wording of the resolution before they put their signatures on the required constitutional amendment. Of special worry to them is any amendment in Article 8 which declares that laws inconsistent with or in derogation of fundamental rights to be void. The four provisions in the NAP concerning measures to curb religious extremism, registration and regulation of madaris, decisive action against those spreading sectarianism and curbs on hate material, have incensed JI and JUI-S who have condemned linking the seminary teachings with terrorism calling it a conspiracy hatched by imperialism. Hopefully the situation will clarify after a thorough debate in the NA session convened on January 1.

Little has been done during the last year and half to strengthen the intelligence network, make the agencies pool their information and devise the machinery for instant action. The government has to abandon the habit of subletting its responsibilities to the army. It must concentrate on developing the capacity of the civilian intelligence agencies, provide them the necessary wherewithal, and develop a well-trained civilian rapid reaction force led by police officers.