NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
The government has decided in principle to establish the SIG to 'assist' the Federal Investigation Agency, in countering terrorism and sectarian violence, the paper said.
The move followed orders from President Pervez Musharraf to modernise the police network at various levels to combat the militant groups, which have turned their ire against Pakistan, following its decision to join the international community to fight terrorism, post September 11, the paper reported.
Quoting interior ministry officials, the paper said the SIG is to be formed with a budget of Rs 110 million, which initially will comprise of 50 personnel, including 35 investigating agents, drawn from the FIA, the federal and the provincial police departments, and the Intelligence Bureau.
The new role of the FIA and the SIG was aimed at evolving a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy and co-ordinate with other law enforcement agencies in its crackdown on militant groups, the paper said.
SIG agents would focus their efforts on identification and location of the 'most wanted' terrorist groups and individuals in order to 'block their financial resources and break their leadership and network', the paper added.
The agents would be empowered to 'arrest and prosecute' the terrorists, already named in FIRs, the paper said quoting officials.
The report said the terrorists were 'taking benefit' of the lacunae arising from the division of responsibilities between various law-enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Tell us what you think of this report
