Law to be amended to empower DCCs financially

LAHORE: The government has decided to amend the Civil Administration Act 2017 to empower the District Coordination Committees (DCCs), established in all districts of Punjab, administratively and financially.

Sources told this correspondent that after the amendment to the said act, the DCCs would get legal status and separate funds would also be allocated for them, to enable them perform their duties effectively.

The Punjab Home Department issued a notification regarding formation of the DCCs on January 2, 2025, in which these committees were given a broad mandate, aimed to improve security and maintain law and order. Their duties cover a number of key areas. The DCCs would ensure speedy and effective implementation of national security policies, formulated under the revised National Action Plan, including policies related to prevention of extremism, terrorism and other illegal activities. The committees are tasked with coordinating efforts to enhance the security framework among local law-enforcement agencies, conducting regular threat assessments and updating security measures accordingly.

The DCCs operate under the leadership of deputy commissioners (DCs) and include the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) of Lahore, along with the City Police Officers (CPOs), District Police Officers (DPOs) and relevant representatives from key local formations.

Also included are heads of various line departments along with senior officers from intelligence and law-enforcement agencies, such as the Special Branch, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and Military Intelligence (MI), ensuring a robust security framework. All members of the committees are required to be at least BS-18 officers, stressing the high level of oversight and expertise involved in this initiative.

Key responsibility of the DCCs would also include to ensure that local laws and regulations, including those under the Revised National Action Plan (R-NAP), are enforced properly within their respective districts. This involves close monitoring of local authorities and coordination between various departments to ensure full compliance with legal frameworks related to security and governance.

The DCCs will serve as the primary channel for implementing decisions made by the higher authorities, including the federal and provincial apex committees. They are tasked with ensuring that all directives are communicated to local authorities and effectively executed on the ground. Progress will be regularly reported back to provincial and federal agencies for oversight.

A major aspect of the DCCs’ work will involve enforcing laws against smuggling, narcotics, and other illegal activities that disrupt public safety. Specific actions include raids against smuggling rings, curbing drug trafficking and tackling power theft.

The committees will work closely with the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and other agencies to disrupt illicit trade networks. Furthermore, they will focus on eliminating illegal petrol stations and unauthorized warehouses dealing with non-customs paid (NCP) goods and vehicles.

The DCCs will also work to address illegal settlements, particularly in suburban areas around major cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan. They will identify land encroachments, unauthorized, housing societies, and any illegal construction, taking appropriate action to prevent unregulated urban expansion.

One of the long-term goals of the DCCs is the establishment of Safe Cities in major urban centres. This initiative will involve the installation of advanced surveillance systems, including CCTV cameras and monitoring stations, to ensure real-time surveillance. The DCCs will work to improve law enforcement response times and enhance public safety through smarter policing mechanisms.

As part of the R-NAP’s education reforms, the DCCs will oversee the registration of religious seminaries (Madaris) in their districts. They will ensure that all seminaries are compliant with national educational standards and are not involved in activities that promote extremism or violence.

Additionally, the committees will monitor mosque activities to ensure they align with national security objectives. The DCCs will hold monthly coordination meetings to assess the progress of ongoing initiatives and discuss emerging challenges. These meetings will involve collaboration among law enforcement agencies, intelligence services and other relevant departments, ensuring transparency and consistent progress toward the goals set by the National Action Plan.

In addition to their local duties, the DCCs will maintain close coordination with provincial law enforcement agencies. This will ensure consistency in the implementation of security measures and the sharing of intelligence between the district and provincial levels. The committees will serve as key players in creating a unified approach to security across Punjab.

With the formation of these DCCs, the Punjab government aims to bolster the security infrastructure at the grass-roots level and ensure that national security policies are effectively implemented. By involving multiple stakeholders, from district officials to law enforcement agencies and intelligence services, the DCCs will play a central role in Pakistan’s broader effort to combat extremism and organized crime.

This initiative is a significant step toward ensuring that the Revised National Action Plan remains a dynamic and responsive framework for countering security threats across Pakistan, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a safe and secure future for all citizens.