Pakistan to block social media accounts of ‘terrorist outfits’

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

The government has decided to tighten noose on terrorist outfits and restrict the use of social media by banned terrorist groups, according to a report.

The National Action Plan (NAP) coordination committee has decided to take comprehensive measures to prevent the activities of banned terrorist organisations on social media.

It was decided that social media accounts of banned terrorist outfits would be blocked in cooperation with the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), while the provinces would take steps under a comprehensive strategy to stop the usage of illegal SIMs.

The top officials of all relevant institutions, including PTA, were directed to come up with an effective mechanism in the next meeting.

However, many believe the decision at this point of time has political connotations, as several ministers have been labelling the opposition PTI a violent group and not a political party. Amidst talk of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and placing ban on PTI, they allege hardcore criminals used the PTI protest as a cover to ‘storm Islamabad.’

They also accuse the party of using arms against security personnel and causing colossal loss to public and private property during the ‘violent protest’.
The NAP coordination committee meeting, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, was informed during a briefing that 206 terrorists have been killed in 7,984 intelligence-based operations till October this year.

The interior minister condemned the recent incidents of terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and told participants that a National Fusion Centre was established for effective coordination. He emphasised that full cooperation would be provided to improve the professional capabilities of the counter-terrorism forces in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to deal with terrorism, adding that the police and Frontier Constabulary would be strengthened.

“Provinces must adopt comprehensive strategies to prevent the misuse of unauthorised SIM cards,” said the federal minister. However, the figures on terrorist killings mentioned by the Interior Ministry, appear to be on the lower side. It was also decided to enhance coordination between the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) and the provinces. The interior minister announced that the needs of law enforcement agencies would be fulfilled on a priority basis, directing all agencies to submit a report on their requirements to the ministry within seven days. He said reforms were initiated in Nacta, with its original role being restored so that it could better fight terrorism.