Govt to consolidate data about terrorists

ISLAMABAD, June 25: Despite repeated claims by Interior Minister Rehman Malik that all possible measures are being taken to counter terrorism, the government is yet to formulate a consolidated databank on terrorists.
The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of civilian and military law-enforcement agencies, especially those working on terrorism, and they agreed to rope in the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to create and maintain such a databank on a fast-track basis.
According to sources, it emerged during the meeting that various government departments at the national and provincial levels were maintaining data on terrorists for their own use and the information remained fragmented in the absence of a central authority.
Therefore, at the time of need, it becomes very difficult to check the identity of a suicide bomber or terrorist on a speedy basis whether he or she is a Pakistani national or a foreigner. It is a common problem faced by the law-enforcement agencies.
The meeting unanimously approved a proposal for managing consolidated data on terrorists on modern lines under a central authority. The function may be performed by a proposed national counter-terrorism authority (Nacta).
Under the plan, Nadra will have separate databanks on Pakistanis and foreigners suspected or found involved in terrorist
activities.
The practice is common all over the world where one authority manages such information, making it easier for investigators who here have to reach out to many agencies to check identity of terrorists.
The participants recommended reactivation of Nacta on an urgent basis with adequate funding to implement its strategy.
They called for building consensus among stakeholders to make stringent laws on the subject and discussed the creation of a special anti-terrorism force.
The Nacta Ordinance introduced in 2009 is yet to be tabled in parliament, pending approval of the cabinet.
The Federal Investigation Agency’s former director general Tariq Parvaiz was appointed the first chairman of the authority by the interior minister but he resigned after seeing no progress on the ordinance over a year.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had decided at a meeting of chief ministers, chief secretaries and security officers held on July 5 last year after the Data Darbar bomb blasts that Nacta would be reactivated.
The authority was to act as a research organisation and the European Union had pledged 15 million euros for it.
Preparation of a draft to provide a legal cover to it was started. However, discussions and input from various political parties over a year resulted only in a decision to make the prime minister its chairman with the interior minister as vice-chairman.
According to media reports, the Punjab government had expressed reservations over placement of Nacta under the interior ministry and suggested that it should function under the prime minister.
Former FIA DG, Malik Javed Iqbal, who was recently indicted in a contempt of court case, is the new head of Nacta. The Supreme Court questioned his role in investigating the National Insurance Company scam.