Fast track intelligence-sharing being considered

ISLAMABAD: Under the National Action Plan (NAP), the government is considering introducing a new state of the art mechanism for prompt intelligence sharing for timely response to check terrorism.

Sources said that the task force, set up last month under Prime Minister’s National Security Advisor Lt Gen (retd) Nasir Janjua for the implementation of the NAP, is presently working on introducing a new mechanism which will not only improve coordination between intelligence agencies but will also ensure fast track intelligence sharing with concerned authorities for timely response. The sources said that it is being considered to set up an intelligence sharing centre, equipped with modern technology, with its head office in Islamabad and regional branches in all the provincial capitals for quick sharing of intelligence sharing.

Unlike the present practice of sharing intelligence reports by writing letters and sending them to different federal and provincial authorities as a routine ritual, the proposed mechanism will provide for an automated fast track link between the Centre and the provinces. It will be ensured through the proposed system that intelligence warnings are taken seriously and not ignored as has been happening in the past. 

It was observed that many terrorist attacks in the past occurred despite prior intelligence warnings which were ignored or had not been timely shared with the concerned quarters. Under the new system, follow-up action on such reports will also be monitored to avoid any lapse.

The sources said that the proposed mechanism will also provide for a system for better coordination between intelligence agencies. It is generally said that there is a lack of cooperation between intelligence agencies, some of whom are shy to cooperate with others.

Presently there is no system available for coordinated efforts of the intelligence agencies against terrorism. Under the NAP, the solution to this serious lapse is also being worked out. Last month the government had decided to establish a high-level task force to monitor the progress on implementation of National Action Plan. The decision was taken at a high-powered meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and attended by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and others.

The Task Force is led by PM’s NSA Lt Gen ® Nasir Janjua and comprises of senior representatives of all concerned departments and agencies of the federal government and the provinces. Both the civil and military leadership had agreed to scale up the existing efforts to neutralize hostile elements through a coordinated and focused effort to eliminate terrorism and extremism from the country.