ISLAMABAD: In a high-level strategic move to bolster regional stability, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced the immediate operationalisation of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
The decision comes as the government intensifies its crackdown on “Fitna-e-Hindustan”—a state-designated term referring to hostile elements and terrorist groups acting at the behest of foreign interference—amid a spike in cross-border attempts to sabotage Pakistan’s internal security.
During a decisive meeting with the Caretaker Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Justice (retd) Yar Muhammad Khan, Minister Naqvi emphasised that maintaining law and order during the upcoming elections is a non-negotiable priority.
According to Interior Ministry sources, the federal government will deploy additional security forces to polling stations to ensure a transparent and peaceful voting process. To counter sophisticated threats from hostile actors, the government is also providing the GB CTD with state-of-the-art surveillance technology and advanced weaponry.
Naqvi asserted that no entity would be permitted to disrupt the democratic process, underscoring that stability is a “fundamental prerequisite” for the region’s prosperity.
The meeting highlighted the growing need for a robust security apparatus to neutralise the activities of Fitna-e-Hindustan. Officials noted that recent attempts to incite unrest are part of a broader agenda to destabilise the northern frontiers and undermine Pakistan’s strategic interests, particularly those linked to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The activation of the CTD is seen as a critical firewall against these foreign-funded disruptive activities.
