World Desk, Amar Ujala, Islamabad
Updated Wed, 25 Nov 2020 12:35 AM IST
Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan
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The newspaper ‘Dawn’ quoted a senior security source as saying that there had been discussion about setting up the coordination forum, but once it was formally shaped it would be decided on its functioning. He said that the new committee would be headed by the Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He will be its president.
Intelligence agencies have held at least two rounds of discussion on the issue, after which the proposal was presented to the Prime Minister for approval. The first meeting of the coordination body is scheduled to take place early next week. The NICC will serve as a mechanism for coordinating more than two dozen intelligence organizations in the country. The National Anti-Terrorism Authority will also be a part of the new structure. It is said to be the brainchild of ISI chief Faiz Hameed.
According to the news, the move is part of the long-awaited reform of the intelligence system, which aims to clarify the role of the agencies concerned, improve their coordination and optimize their capabilities.
In 2008, attempts were made to bring military intelligence under administrative control, but failed. The PPP government then issued a notification while trying to bring ISI and IB under administrative, financial and operational control. But this decision was withdrawn within 24 hours after Bharti protests.
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