In a pivotal move for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategy, Major General Faisal Naseer, a prominent figure from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been designated as the national coordinator for the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta).
This appointment was officially confirmed through a notification released by the establishment division on Friday, noting that it received the federal government’s endorsement.
Maj Gen Naseer will take on this role in accordance with Section 9(1) of the Nacta Act, 2013, and will do so on a secondment basis.
The tenure for this appointment is set for three years, commencing immediately, under standard terms and conditions until further directives are issued.
Implications of the Appointment
An official from the Establishment Division explained that while civilian officers are transferred via deputation, active military personnel are shifted among various organizations through secondment.
A senior Nacta official remarked that there was a recommendation for the authority to be led by an experienced military or intelligence officer. This decision seems geared towards enhancing the strategic and operational capacity of an authority that has encountered difficulties in the past.
The official underscored that Nacta had previously functioned without a coherent strategy.
Challenges Faced by Nacta
Maj Gen Naseer’s appointment arrives at a crucial juncture for Nacta, which has historically struggled to assert itself as the primary civilian counter-terrorism authority in the country.
Although designed to be a streamlined operation coordinating national counter-terrorism efforts, the agency has often found itself marginalized. In reality, it has not fully developed into the command and coordination body envisioned by the law, primarily functioning as a policy secretariat with limited enforcement capabilities across Pakistan’s vast security and law enforcement network.
In the past decade, initiatives such as the formation of the National Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (NIFTAC) under Nacta have raised alarms regarding centralization and the erosion of democratic oversight.
The Significance of Maj Gen Naseer’s Background
Nacta has experienced frequent leadership changes, with over a dozen national coordinators since its establishment, predominantly sourced from the police force. Maj Gen Naseer’s appointment thus represents a significant shift from this trend.
Prior to this position, he was serving as the Director General of Counter-Intelligence, a role he took on in 2022 following his promotion to major general.
It’s important to clarify that the DG (Counter-Intelligence) position is often misinterpreted as leading the ISI’s counter-intelligence division; however, it actually oversees the agency’s Internal Wing, which is responsible for domestic security and political issues, often interacting with key power centers in the country.
Typically, military officers who transition from active duty assignments are perceived to have reduced chances for further advancement, although exceptions can occur.
Consequently, Maj Gen Naseer’s transfer to Nacta has taken many observers by surprise.
