ISLAMABAD: A total of 2,159 terrorists have been killed and 1,724 arrested by the law enforcement agencies under the National Action Plan (NAP).

The Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control prese­nted an achie­ve­ment re­port about NAP in the National Assembly on Friday, which stated that 332 persons had been executed so far under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

The report stated that 98.3 million SIMs had been blocked for dismantling communication networks of terrorists.

At least 933 URLs and 10 websites of militant organisations have also been bloc­ked by Ministry of Infor­mation Technology (MoIT).

Budget was released to strengthen and activate the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) and steps were also taken to establish and strengthen a Joint Intelligence Directorate.

The report stated that 2,337 cases were registered for hate speeches and material and 2,195 persons were arrested while 73 shops were sealed.

Likewise, 9,164 cases were registered, 9,340 persons were arrested and 2,452 pieces of equipment confiscated for misuse of loudspeakers. It added, 8,195 persons were included in ‘fourth schedule’ and movement of 2,052 people was restricted as measures against re-emergence of proscribed organisations and individuals.

Uniform registration and data form was developed by Nacta and ITMP and shared with stakeholders for registration and regulation of madressahs. As many as 167 madressahs in Sindh, 13 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two in Punjab were closed.

Under the NAP, list of activists and proscribed organisations was shared with the information ministry and Pemra for strict implementation of ban on glorification of terrorism in media.

A committee headed by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz was constituted for Fata reforms.

Over 1,130 hardcore elements were pointed out in Punjab and 649 persons were booked for facilitating hate speeches.

Similarly, target killing in Karachi decreased to 53 per cent, murder incidents declined to 50pc, terrorism incidents came down by 80pc, dacoity 30pc and extortion by 56pc in the biggest city of the country due to Rangers operation.

A total of 69,179 criminals, 890 terrorists, 676 proclaimed offenders, 10,426 absconders, 124 kidnappers, 545 extortionists and 1,834 murderers were also apprehended and 16,306 weapons seized during the Karachi operation.

The report of interior minister said steps were also taken for surrender of farraris in Balochistan and reconciliation process. Like­wise, 25 centres were established for registration of Afghan refugees.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2016