Latest news with #Counter-TerrorismCommittee
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First Post
11 hours ago
- General
- First Post
Scorching irony: Pakistan to be vice-chair of UN's counter-terror panel, head Taliban sanctions body
As an scorching irony unfolds in New York, Pakistan, often labelled as the 'global exporter of terror', will chair the UN Security Council's Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025 and will also serve as vice-chair of the Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee. read more A strange irony has unfolded in New York: Pakistan – often referred to as the 'global exporter of terror' – is set to chair the United Nations Security Council's Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025. It will also serve as vice-chair of the Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee. The Taliban Sanctions Committee, also known as the 1988 Committee, is responsible for measures such as freezing assets, imposing travel bans, and enforcing arms embargoes on individuals and groups linked to the Taliban that pose a threat to peace and security in Afghanistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Guyana and Russia are set serve as vice-chairs of this committee, which will be headed by Pakistan. Pakistan to vice-chair counter-terror committee Algeria will chair the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee, with France, Pakistan, and Russia acting as vice-chairs. According to the official UN list, Denmark will lead the 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee in 2025, with Russia and Sierra Leone as vice-chairs. A non-permanent member Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the 2025–26 term, will also co-chair two informal working groups — one focused on documentation and procedural matters, and the other on general sanctions issues. India previously chaired the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2022 during its 2021–22 term as a non-permanent member. India has repeatedly highlighted that Pakistan harbours the highest number of UN-designated terrorists and terror outfits. Osama-bin Laden was killed in Pak's Abbottabad Al Qaeda leader Osama-bin Laden, for instance, was found hiding in Pakistan's Abbottabad and was killed in a US Navy SEAL operation in 2011. The Security Council comprises five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US. Apart from Pakistan, the current non-permanent members are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia. Pahalgam terrorists were backed by Pakistan Recently, Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 innocent civilians in Pahalgam on 22 April, triggering a fierce response from New Delhi. India alleged ' cross-border terror links ' and took strong diplomatic measures against Islamabad, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and expelling Pakistani diplomats. India's Operation Sindoor India responded with precision strikes targeting nine terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that nearly 100 terrorists were neutralised in these strikes. 'Pakistan is Global exporter of terror' Experts have long labelled Pakistan a 'global exporter of terror' due to its continued support for extremist groups. This support includes providing safe havens, funding, and training to organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which have carried out attacks across South Asia and beyond. Terrorism is means of survival for Rawalpindi-based Pak army These groups often operate with backing from Pakistan's military and intelligence services, who use them as tools for strategic influence. In return, these outfits serve to justify the military's dominance within Pakistan's power structure. Pakistan uses these groups to spread terror and target civilians. When India retaliates in self-defence, the Pakistani military – headquartered in Rawalpindi and effectively the real power centre – uses Indian action to stoke fear among the public, thereby consolidating its authority. Pak military's same tactics in Kargil war Similar tactics were seen during the Kargil War, when Pakistani forces occupied Indian positions and falsely portrayed it as a local insurgency. After a strong Indian counter-offensive, Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw. Harbouring terror since birth India, Afghanistan, Iran, and Western nations have consistently criticised Pakistan for harbouring terrorists and using them as instruments of foreign policy. Incidents like the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the discovery of bin Laden on Pakistani soil have only reinforced these concerns. Despite international pressure – including scrutiny from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – Pakistan's military and intelligence networks continue to face serious allegations of supporting terrorism, jeopardising both regional and global stability.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan to ramp up action against illegal foreigners, power theft and begging mafia
Listen to article Pakistan's government will intensify operations targeting undocumented foreign nationals, electricity theft, and organised street begging, state broadcaster PTV reported on Saturday, citing the Interior Ministry. The decision followed a high-level security meeting chaired by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi — the third such session under the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Harden the State Committee. The meeting focused on enhancing inter-agency coordination to curb illicit activities posing a threat to internal stability. Minister Naqvi stated that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) would enable real-time data verification at border exit points. Read: Iran border to stay open 24/7 during Muharram, Arbaeen He also urged strict implementation of the 'One Document Regime' and proposed declaring street begging a non-bailable offence, calling the so-called begging mafia a blot on the country's reputation. Support is also being extended to the Ministry of Energy to combat power theft, which has seen Rs. 142 billion recovered in joint efforts with provincial administrations, a ministry official reported. More than 250 intelligence-based operations are now being conducted daily across the country, targeting various forms of organised illegality. The session also reviewed progress on anti-encroachment drives, digital fuel pump regulation, and the upcoming establishment of the Pakistan Port Authority. Developments in the Gwadar City Safe City Project, including the construction of a protection wall and deployment of digital enforcement stations on the Indus River, were discussed. Efforts to install an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) for highway surveillance and a new legal mechanism allowing customs officers and deputy commissioners to seal petrol stations selling illegal fuel were also outlined. Among those in attendance were Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, Punjab Law Minister Sohaib Ahmed Bharti, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Advisor Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, and Gilgit-Baltistan's Interior Minister. Also present were top officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), and security agencies nationwide. Read More: Begging abroad to be treated as terrorism Last week, Minister Naqvi presided over a key meeting where decisive actions were approved against Pakistani nationals deported from other countries. It was agreed that First Information Reports (FIRs) will be filed against all deportees, their passports will be revoked, and their names will be added to the Passport Control List for a duration of five years. Highlighting the damage caused to the country's global standing, Minister Naqvi stated that deportees have become a source of diplomatic embarrassment and that the state will now adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward such individuals. R: 2,239 Afghans deported via Torkham Meanwhile, Pakistan has continued deporting Afghan refugees as part of a broader campaign targeting illegal residency. In addition to deportations at the border, enforcement actions have been stepped up in urban centres.
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Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
We will provide all possible help to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to combat terrorism: Mohsin Naqvi
Listen to article Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi has stated that all possible help will be provided to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan to deal with terrorism. The second meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee was chaired by Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, in which the Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Federal Secretary of Interior, DG FIA, DG Passport, National Coordinator of NACTA, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, National Action Plan Coordinator, and representatives from security agencies participated. Additionally, the Law Minister of Punjab, Malik Sohaib Ahmed, Advisor Information K-P Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, Interior Minister of Sindh Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjhar, Interior Minister of Azad Kashmir, and Interior Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan attended the meeting, Express News reported. The Secretaries of Interior and IGs of all provinces, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, participated via Zoom. Speaking at the meeting, Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi said that the Prime Minister, Army Chief, and all stakeholders are on the same page regarding the fight against terrorism. No decision will be made without consulting the provinces. The meeting also reviewed the progress on enhancing the capabilities of the Counter-Terrorism Department in the provinces. The Federal Minister for Interior emphasized that for effective counter-terrorism, it is crucial to fully activate the Counter-Terrorism Departments at the provincial level. In this regard, all possible assistance will be provided to K-P and Balochistan, considering the challenges they face. He further stated that the FIA's Counter-Terrorism Wing will be fully activated at the federal level. The meeting also reviewed the progress on the establishment of National and Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centers. During the briefing, it was stated that the approval for the establishment of the National Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centers has been granted, and work is ongoing for the establishment of Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centers in all provinces. Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi said that after the reorganisation of the Frontier Constabulary, it is being transformed into the National Reserve Police. During this session, it was agreed to make explosive materials a federal subject to ensure better monitoring. The meeting also decided to effectively raise the issue of terrorism with the Afghan government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister for Interior further stated that all institutions must ensure strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the security of foreign nationals. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the federal and provincial governments to "forcefully" implement "a unified response and narrative" against the ongoing wave of terrorism as well as anti-Pakistan and anti-institutions, it emerged on Friday. The prime minister's directions to collectively counter the ongoing threat of terrorism and ant-state narratives in the country has come on the heels of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir's recent statement, emphasising to transform Pakistan into a "hard state" from a "soft state".
