KARACHI: The Sindh government on Tuesday launched a state-of-the-art fusion centre in the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) for sharing information between agencies and stakeholders to respond to criminal and terrorist activities.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who inaugurated the cutting-edge facility within the provincial police, said that the Sindh government was committed to equipping the provincial police with modern resources as it was the responsibility of the police to protect the lives, property, and liberties of the people of the province.

He said that the provincial government had focused on strengthening the provincial police with improved training, transportation, budgetary support, and essential equipment. “The launching of Fusion Centre is aimed at enhancing the provincial government’s counterterrorism efforts,” he added.

The inauguration ceremony was attended among others by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Additional IG CTD Imran Yakoob Minhas, and DIG CTD Asif Aijaz Shaikh.

The Fusion Centre, established by the National Radio and Telecommunications Corporation (NRTC), is equipped with advanced technology and infrastructure to strengthen the CTD’s capacity to combat terrorism.

The chief minister said that the provincial government had allocated Rs722 million for the Fusion Centre in the fiscal year 2023-24 to support the centre’s operational and developmental needs.

He also discussed the persistent threat of terrorism and expressed his appreciation for the sacrifices made by the police, Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies. “Our law enforcement agencies have played an invaluable role in maintaining law and order, even at personal cost,” he added.

The centre is designed as a central hub that integrates online and offline data from all relevant stakeholders, enabling efficient analysis, collaboration, and decision-making. Through the project, the CTD aims to streamline intelligence-sharing and bolster the scientific investigation of terrorism cases and other government-assigned matters.

Speaking on the occasion, Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar appreciated the support the chief minister had extended to strengthen the provincial police.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2024