ANKARA, 7 May 2014: Turkey has offered to further enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies of Pakistan for countering terrorism. Turkish Minister for Interior Mr. Efkan Ala made this offer during a meeting with Col (Retd) Shuja Khanzada, Minister for Counter Terrorism, Police Reforms & Environment Protection, Government of Punjab here today.
Mr. Efkan Ala said Turkey and Pakistan face similar problems and Turkey will be happy to share its experience with Pakistan in the area of counter terrorism. He showed readiness to support Punjab Government efforts for police reforms and setting up command and control centre. Sharing Turkish experience, Mr. Efkan Ala said public support, democratic reforms and strong will of the political leadership had helped Turkey to combat terrorism.
Both the leaders agreed to observe timelines for close cooperation in law enforcement training and technical assistance. The visiting Pakistani dignitary updated the Turkish Minister about the recent initiatives by Pakistan for wiping out the menace of terrorism. He said Pakistan has introduced effective legislation and de-radicalization programme. Punjab Government has recently raised a special Counter Terrorism Force. He also informed that the Federal Government has created a new institutional arrangement, the National Counter Terrorism Authority while the provinces are also making similar arrangements to coordinate with the federal authority.
Mr. Khanzada thanked the Turkish Interior Minister for arranging training of police officers of the Punjab Government.
On this occasion, the Turkish side included the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and Director General of Turkish National Police while Pakistan side included Secretary Home, Government of Punjab Mr. Azam Suleman Khan, and Charge-de-Affairs of Pakistan Embassy Ms. Aisha Farooqui.
Earlier, the Punjab delegation held technical meetings with their Turkish Counterparts and chalked a plan of cooperation, training and assistance. The delegation also visited high security prison in Ankara and discussed measures to improve prison conditions in Punjab with Turkish cooperation.
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