Pak excludes 'action against banned outfits' from counter-terrorism strategy

Pakistani federal authorities have quietly diluted their counter-terrorism strategy as three key points in the National Action Plan (NAP) have been removed, including 'actions against proscribed outfits', said a senior official.

According to the Express Tribune, the other two points removed from the NAP include reform of madrassas (religious seminaries) and the repatriation of Afghan refugees.

The NAP was crafted after the Taliban massacre that took place in Peshawar's Army Public School that killed over 150 students and staff.

Provincial authorities have failed to device any plan to counter perpetrators in spite of terrorism and sectarian clashes.

National coordinator for the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) Hamid Ali Khan confirmed that the three points are "no more under consideration of Nacta" because these are time-consuming problems that need long-term planning.

The rest of the 17 points are being vigorously pursued as they are a key part of NAP.