Explained: KP's plan for faceless anti-terrorism courts and Rs70bn for police
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plans anti-terrorism courts in which the identities of judges and witnesses stay secret. It also plans Rs70 billion this year for the police and the Counter-Terrorism Department.
- KP plans faceless anti-terrorism courts to protect witnesses, prosecutors and judges.
- Rs70 billion is planned for police and the CTD this year: Rs59.8 billion for police infrastructure and Rs10.3 billion for the CTD.
- The plan includes filling 17,000 vacant police posts.
- The plan was presented in Peshawar on Sunday, 8 November.
On 9 November khabr.pk reported that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration plans to set up faceless anti-terrorism courts. The aim is to protect witnesses, prosecutors and judges who face security threats in terrorism cases. The plan was presented at an official briefing televised on Sunday, attended by KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
Under the proposed system, the identities of judges, witnesses, police personnel and other people involved would stay confidential during hearings. Legislation is being introduced for this purpose. The parties concerned would keep the right to appeal decisions before the High Court. An official told Minute Mirror that witnesses are often reluctant to appear in terrorism cases because of safety fears.
KP Home Secretary Amjad Ali Khan told a press conference in Peshawar that the provincial government had devised a new strategy against terrorism, according to Geo News. Of the Rs70 billion to be provided to the police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) this year, Rs59.8 billion is for police infrastructure and Rs10.3 billion for the CTD.
The plan aims to raise CTD capacity from 12 percent to 37 percent and overall police capacity to 75 percent, according to Daily Pakistan. It includes filling 17,000 vacant police posts. Geo News reported that the police personnel shortage currently stands at 15 percent, with a target of 5 percent.
Mr Khan also announced more intelligence-based operations and arrests of people who support terrorists. Anti-drone systems are being installed in Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu. A total of 400 police facilitation smart desks will help citizens reach police services and register complaints. Dispute Resolution Councils and liaison committees in tribal areas will be made functional, and the jirga system will be promoted.
The briefing comes during the emergency period. khabr.pk reported on 9 November that the federal cabinet approved moving the chief minister's powers to Governor Kundi, under a notification issued on 4 November. The governor must send monthly reports to the federal government, and an advisory council assists him.
Mr Khan said the previous PTI-backed provincial government did not give the required support in the fight against terrorism. He said it allocated Rs6.4 billion for 22 districts but released only Rs1 billion. He said the federal and provincial governments are now on the same page.
Several points are still open. The material does not say when the legislation will be introduced or take effect, or when the courts would begin work. It also does not say how the Rs70 billion will be released over the year.
Why it matters for Pakistan
Residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are affected by the security situation that the plan seeks to address. Witnesses, prosecutors and judges in terrorism cases would get identity protection under the proposed courts. Police personnel would gain from the plan to fill vacant posts. Citizens would have new smart desks for police services and complaints. Anti-drone systems are planned for Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu.
