Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
on Tuesday issued directions to immediately establish a National Intelligence Directorate under National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) in a bid to strengthen coordination between military and civilian agencies.
During the high-level meeting which was also attended by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Army chief General Raheel Sharif, ISI chief Lt-Gen Zahirul Islam and all provincial chief ministers, the prime minister also approved the establishment of rapid-response forces at the federal and provincial levels with quality and trained manpower.
Sharif gave these directives after reviewing the newly legislated legal framework dealing with counter-terrorism.
The Pakistain Mohammedan League -- Nawaz (PML-N) led government had recently unveiled its new security policy, which envisaged the setting up of a directorate of internal security to oversee and ensure coordination of 33 civil and military intelligence agencies.
The directorate is proposed to have an intelligence and analysis centre comprising four intelligence groups replicating ISI, Military Intelligence, federal law-enforcement agencies and police intelligence departments.
During Tuesday's meeting, the premier also reviewed at length the capacities of federal and provincial law enforcement agencies.
The prime minister said that provinces should work to ensure admissible evidence and efficient prosecution in heinous offenses within time limits.
"The Prime Minister said the provincial governments and institutions had to work hard to contribute and establish a secure environment by eliminating terrorism as economic prosperity was linked with security and peace in the country," said a statement from the prime minister's office.
Sharif also ordered establishment of high security prisons in all provinces on a fast-track basis.