Report on Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's counter terrorism response launched under a EU-funded programme

Peshawar, 18 July 2017 -   Understanding the Counter Terrorism Response - Case Analysis of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Report was launched by UNODC in collaboration with the Home and Tribal Affairs Department of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and NACTA under a European Union funded programme this week. The report was completed under the auspices  of 'Pakistan's Action to Counter Terrorism with a special reference to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa' project, which is supported by the European Union and aims to build national capacities of law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in effectively countering terrorism. 

The Home and Tribal Affairs Department of K-P constituted a committee which consisted of members from the Police, Prosecution and the Judiciary who provided practical recommendations for further strengthening the criminal justice response to terrorism. The committee has put forward 30 recommendations which reflect the capacity, process, legislative improvements. The recommendations would also act as a road-map and a cornerstone to UNODC and the EU's intervention in the province under the 'Pakistan's Action to Counter Terrorism Project'.

During the launch, HE Jean-François Cautain, Ambassador of the European Union, stated that security is an important topic in the EU-Pakistan cooperation. The ambassador emphasised that the report launched today is the first step in implementation of 7 million euros counter terrorism project funded by the EU, and it highlights the issues that may be overcome and lead to success in fighting terrorism only by close cooperation of all criminal justice institutions in the country. 

In his brief remarks UNODC Country Representative Mr. Cesar Guedes highlighted upon the importance of the recommendations and stated that an evidence based approach would continue to be adopted while delivering technical assistance for strengthening Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's response to terrorism.  

Chief Justice of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Honorable Yahya Afridi, was the chief guest on the occasion and in his closing remarks he appreciated the assistance being rendered to the institutions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa by UNODC and the EU and highlighted the urgency for developing witness protection programmes to ensure the safety and security of individuals.