LAHORE, July 23: The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department has so far conducted training sessions for 300 former members of banned sectarian outfits and proscribed organisations under its ongoing de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme.

The three-month programme launched in fiscal 2011-12 was initiated by the department with the provincial government’s approval to bring former militants towards normal life activities and engage them in different trades so that they could earn their livelihood honourably.

Punjab CTD Additional IG Mushtaq Ahmad Sokhaira told Dawn they had planned to train 1,300 more people in current fiscal keeping in view the positive impact of the first training session under the programme.

Under the programme that was his own initiative, Mr Sokhaira said people aged between 25 and 40 years, who volunteered for training, first go through sessions conducted by religious scholars and psychologists and then they were imparted training by the Punjab Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) in 40 trades.

He said a majority of the people who were engaged in training had been either working as facilitators and handlers for terrorists or were former members of various sectarian organisations.

He said the CTD’s district networks, which had detailed lists of active and former members of terrorist and militant organisations, gathered volunteers for training.

Asked about monitoring of trained people and impact of the initiative, the additional IG said though the district CTD staff continuously watched the trained people, their complete assessment needed at least six months time.

He said the department was now planning to induct two psychologists in and to also engage Punjab Board of Technical Education for psychological training and skill development of the trainees.

Mr Sokhaira said de-radicalisation and rehabilitation process would also be initiated initially in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat and Rawalpindi’s Adyala jails and teams comprising psychologists and religious scholars would hold sessions with terrorists and members of banned militant organisations.

He said the project had already been approved by the Punjab home department.

Pakistan Army is also conducting a de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme in South Waziristan on the pattern of the CTD initiative after Swat military operation.