Counterterror suggestions

The government is taking a number of steps to crack down on terrorists and protect the lives and properties of general public. It is good that the Special Security Unit of the Sindh police has started the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (H.E.A.T) programme for general public, teachers, students, etc to create awareness about the measures that have to be adopted to keep them safe, and develop confidence and capabilities to face emergencies.

The government should also undertake a comprehensive strategy to educate the general public, teachers, students, employees of government and private organisations on how to protect themselves and the people around them from the threat posed by terrorists. In this connection i) the Civil Defence Department should be activated; ii) scouting should be promoted; iii) the National Cadet Course (NCC) training should be restarted in colleges and also at the school level. These steps will help prepare the nation to face natural calamities as well as make them physically fit.

S M Iqbal

Karachi