ISLAMABAD: Anti-terrorism experts in Pakistan this week have pored over several proposals including the formation of a “national council for the prevention of terrorism” in the country and introducing a “new, efficient criminal justice system” to deal with terrorism-related cases.

These experts represent more than a dozen security and intelligence outfits. They have presented their recommendations to the National Action Plan Committee (NAPC), which on Tuesday discussed the proposals in detail. “We have also recommended establishment of some two dozen new anti-terrorism courts for speedy trial of alleged terrorists,” a member of the group, requesting not to be named, said.

The experts also suggested that the national council in coordination with the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) should brief the prime minister on terrorism-related issues every week.

To clean up madrasas by reviewing their literature perhaps under fresh legislation was another proposal floated to the NAPC, he added. The military in its briefing proposed the idea to the group that it could facilitate the civilian forces to monitor seminaries and mosques, he revealed, adding that clerics should be barred from delivering hate speeches publicly, the military officials suggested to the experts.

The special courts, if the NAPC endorsed the idea, will be formed under the Protection of Pakistan Act, he explained. According to another member of the experts group, definition of terrorism should be specifically well defined in Anti-Terrorism Laws and Pakistan Protection Ordinance.

Judges will be given more protection where provincial government will release more funds for judicial system, he further explained.

Another member of the committee revealed that there was a consensus among experts that the operation against militants should be expanded in Karachi. Afghan refugees must be sent to the camps they were registered with and internally displaced persons (IDPs) should also be sent to their homes, he said.

The group in its marathon meetings have also proposed that around 3,000 to 4,000 people should be hired to equip Nacta with security experts by releasing around Rs25 billion funds for better intelligence to counter militancy, he added. Afghanistan will be asked to embrace its nationals living in Pakistan as refugees, another suggestion given by the experts to the committee, he maintained.

It has also reportedly been agreed that to take decisive action against the militants first ‘hard targets’ will be dealt with, then the ‘soft targets.’ Hard targets include targeted-operations, amendments to make the judicial system more vibrant, establishing special courts, encircled religious seminaries which are harboring terrorists, return of IDPs till February and ensure execution of terrorists.