KP plans faceless anti-terrorism courts, Rs70bn for police and CTD
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plans faceless anti-terrorism courts to protect judges, witnesses and prosecutors. The province says Rs70 billion will go to the police and the Counter-Terrorism Department this year.
- Faceless anti-terrorism courts planned in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Identities of judges, witnesses and police to stay confidential
- Rs70 billion for police and CTD this year
- CTD capacity to rise from 12% to 37%
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration plans to set up faceless anti-terrorism courts to protect witnesses, prosecutors and judges who face security threats in terrorism cases. The plan was presented at an official briefing televised on Sunday, which KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi attended.
KP Home Secretary Amjad Ali Khan told a press conference in Peshawar on Sunday that the provincial government had devised a new strategy to tackle terrorism across the province, according to Geo News. A high-level meeting of the governor, advisers, the chief secretary, departmental secretaries and senior police officers received a briefing from the Home Department.
Under the proposed system, the identities of judges, witnesses, police personnel and other concerned people would stay confidential during hearings. Legislation is being introduced for this purpose, and 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.
On funding, Geo News reported that Rs70 billion will be provided to the police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) this year, with Rs59.8 billion 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.
Daily Pakistan said the plan 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, and 400 police facilitation smart desks will help citizens reach police services and register complaints.
Mr Khan said the previous PTI-backed provincial government did not give the required support in the fight against terrorism or the repatriation of Afghan refugees. He said it allocated Rs6.4 billion for 22 districts but released only Rs1 billion, and that the federal and provincial governments are now on the same page on counterterrorism. Dispute Resolution Councils and liaison committees in tribal areas will be made functional, and the jirga system will be promoted.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 8 November that KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said the fight against terrorism needs greater political ownership. That report also noted a proposed Rs59.8 billion for the police and Rs10.3 billion for the CTD.
Why it matters
The plan concerns how terrorism cases are tried and policed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Witnesses, prosecutors and judges in such cases face security threats, and the proposed anonymity is meant to address that. Residents of districts such as Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu would see anti-drone systems installed, and citizens across the province could use the 400 planned police smart desks.
