EU for strong international collaboration to counter terrorism

ISLAMABAD: In their resolve to support the efforts of Pakistan government to counter the threats of terrorism, the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office Pakistan, have launched a three-year technical assistance programme to strengthen the criminal justice response in Pakistan to counter terrorism.

The project will improve the investigative processes and promote the use of forensic evidence during the prosecution stages of terrorism-related cases.

It will also strengthen the co-ordination between the KP Home Department, Police and Prosecution, National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police.

With the financial support of 7 million euros by the European Union, “Pakistan’s Action to Counter Terrorism with a special reference to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” (PACT) project was developed by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) on behalf of the government in collaboration with the UNODC.

During the project development stages, both provincial and federal stakeholders were closely consulted to ensure that project objectives directly contribute to the needs of each institution.

In his opening remarks, NACTA’s Counter Terrorism Director General Sheikh Muhammad Umar appreciated and recognised the role of the international community particularly the European Union and UNODC in working closely with NACTA for building its capacity for an effective response to combat terrorism.

“More than ever there is a need for strong international collaboration to counter terrorism. Counter-terrorism will remain a top priority in the EU’s security dialogue with Pakistan and PACT is a logical “next step” in this longstanding solid partnership,” said HE Jean-François Cautain, EU Ambassador to Pakistan in his key remarks.