Daily Times

LAHORE: A quarterly monitoring report on the implementation of the National Action Plan in the Punjab shows progress on two points choking of terror financing and ban on glorification of glorification of terrorists.

However, it observes a regressive trend in points related to preventing re-emergence of proscribed organisations, dismantling of terrorist networks, and zero-tolerance for militancy.

These findings were shared by PILDAT president at a public debate on the organization’s Fourth Quarterly Monitor report on the “Implementation of National Action Plan to Counter Terrorism in Punjab” on Thursday.

The forum was also addressed by veteran journalist Mujeeb ur Rahman Shami; former Sindh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Moinuddin Haider; former Punjab Governor Shahid Hamid; former Federal Secretary for Interior Tasneem Noorani; and former NACTA National Coordinator Tariq Pervez.

Mehboob said that the objective in publishing the monitor was to report progress on NAP implementation based on publicly available data. “The purpose of this exercise is to promote facts-based discourse on this crucial national issue. PILDAT’s initiative aims to serve the purpose of advocacy for effective implementation,” he said.

He explained that during the third quarter of 2017, two of the 15 NAP points – point 6 which relates to choking terrorist financing and point 11 which relates to a ban on glorification of terrorists through print and electronic media – saw progress.

He said a regressive trend was witnessed in three indicators – NAP point 7 which relates to preventing re-emergence of proscribed organizations, point 13 which relates to dismantling of terrorist networks, and point 15 which calls for zero-tolerance for militancy.

He said PILDAT could not report on progress or regression in implementation of point 1 (implementation of death sentences of terrorism convicts) and point 2 (military courts) due to insufficient data. Implementation of remaining eight points remained consistent with that in the second quarter, he added.

Speaking at the occasion, former NACTA coordinator Tariq Pervez stated that there had been very little transparency in implementation of the NAP.

“Many executions have taken place since the moratorium on death penalty was lifted, but very few of those executed were actually held in terrorism cases,” he said.

“NACTA is the agency tasked with coordination of counter-terrorism efforts, but the government has not made NACTA a priority,” he said.

Tasneem Noorani said that PILDAT’s quarterly assessment of NAP’s implementation was rigorous and it appeared that NAP was no longer a priority for the government.

Shahid Hamid stated that the writ of the state had declined because of recent events, which was a worrying trend. “Faizabad incident proves that strict implementation of NAP will lead to a backlash and will come with political costs. It is imperative that all political forces come together with the government to work on this crucial issue,” said Mujibur Rahman Shamsi.

Published in Daily Times, December 22^nd 2017.