Islamabad, Dec. 12 : In an effort to coordinate and unify its counter-terrorism efforts, Pakistan has formed a National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).

Informing media persons about the formation of the authority, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has already approved a budget for NACTA.

“The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA)’ would act as a research organisation for which the EU had pledged 15 million euros with a draft being framed to provide legal cover to the authority,” The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

Later, during a meeting, Gilani said the agency would have three wings.

“One to counter extremism, to be headed by an educationist or a journalist, another to counter terrorism, to be headed by a police officer, and the third for research and analysis, to be headed by an eminent academician,” Gilani said.

He expressed hope that NACTA would come up with a feasible strategy to deal with the deteriorating law and order situation in the country. (ANI)