Pakistan Cabinet backs new counter-terror body

PAKISTAN: Pakistan's Cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft law to establish a new counter terrorism body aimed at better coordinating efforts to defeat Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked violence, a minister said.

Pakistan says 35,000 people have been killed as a result of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks and the 2001 US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan.

Suicide attacks, roadside bombings and shootings are a near day-to-day reality, particularly in parts of the northwest near the Afghan border.

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the main objective was to defeat terrorism, but he provided no details on exactly how the new organisation would help.

"The Cabinet today approved the National Counter-Terrorism Authority Bill the need for which has been felt for a long time," Kaira told reporters after a regularCabinet meeting. AFP