National Counter Terrorism Authority (NaCTA) Act, 2013

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THE NATIONAL COUNTER TERRORISM AUTHORITY 
ACT, 2013 
 
CONTENTS 
 
PRELIMINARY. 
 
 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Definitions. 
3.  Establishment of the Authority. 
4.  Functions of the Authority. 
5.  Board of Governors. 
6.  Procedure of the meeting of the Board. 
7.  Powers and functions of the Board. 
8.  Executive Committee. 
9.  National Coordinator. 
10.  Deputy National Coordinator. 
11.  Appointment of officers, staff etc., by the Authority. 
12.  Appointment of officers, staff etc., in cases of special requirement. 
13.  Delegation of powers. 
14.  Fund. 
15.  Budget for the Authority. 
16.  Maintenance of accounts and internal control. 
17.  Audit. 
 
Updated till 15.10.2021 
 
 
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18. Annual Report. 
19.  Assistance and provision of information. 
20.  Indemnity. 
21.  Power of the federal government to issue directives. 
22.  Power to make rules and regulations. 
23.  Provisions of this Act. 
24.  Employees deemed to be Public Servants. 
 
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NATIONAL COUNTER TERRORISM AUTHORITY ACT, 2013 
ACT NO. XIX OF 2013 
An Act to establish National Counter Terrorism Authority in Pakistan 
WHEREAS, the menace of terrorism and extremism is becoming an existential threat to the state 
and needs to be responded to and addressed comprehensively; 
AND WHEREAS , in order to eliminate this me, a focal institution to  unify state response by 
planning, combining, coordinating and implementing Government's policy through an exhaustive 
strategic planning and necessary ancillary mechanism is needed; 
It is hereby enacted as follows: 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and co mmencement.___ (1) This Act may be called the National Counter 
Terrorism Authority Act, 2013. 
(2)  It extends to the whole of Pakistan. 
(3)  It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.__ In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-- 
(a)   "Authority" means the National Counter Terrorism Authority Pakistan established 
under Section 3; 
(b)   "Board" means the Board of Governors constituted under sections 5; 
(c)   "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Board of Governors; 
(d)   "Executive Committee means a Committee constituted under Section 8; 
(e)   "National Coordinator" means the National Coordinator of the Authority; 
(f)    "Deputy National Coordinator" means the Deputy National Coordinator of the 
Authority; 
(g)   "rules" means rules made under the Act; 
(h)   "regulations" means regulations made under this Act; and 
(i)   "prescribed” means prescribed by rules or, as the case may be, regulations. 
 
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3. Establishment of the Authority. ___(1) As soon as may be, but not later than ninety days after 
the promulgation of this Act, the Federal Government shall, by notification in the official gazette, 
establish an Authority to be known as the National Counter Terrorism Authority Pakistan for carrying 
out the purposes of this Act. 
1[* * * * * * *] 
(3) The Authority shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with 
powers, subject to the provision of this Act, to acquire and hold property, movable and immovable, and 
to sue and be sued by its name. The Authority s hall have administrative and financial powers to carry 
out the functions of the Authority. 
(4) The headquarters of the Authority shall be at Islamabad and it may set up offices at such 
other places in Pakistan. 
4. Functions of the Authority.___ The Authority shall have the following functions, namely:____ 
(a) to receive and collate data or information or intelligence, and disseminate and co -
ordinate between all relevant stakeholders to formulate threat assessments with 
periodical reviews to be presented to the Federal Government for making 
adequate and timely efforts to counter terrorism and extremism; 
(b)   to co-ordinate and prepare comprehensive National counter terrorism and counter 
extremism strategies, and review them on periodical basis; 
(c)  to develop action plans against terrorism and extremism and report to the Federal 
Government about implementation of these plans, on periodical basis; 
(d)  to carry out research on topics relevant to terrorism and extremism and to prepare 
and circulate documents; 
(e)  to carry out liaison with international entities for facilitating cooperation in areas 
relating to terrorism and extremism; 
(f)  to review relevant laws and suggest amendments to the Federal Government; and 
(g)  to appoint committees of experts from G overnment and non  Government 
organizations for deliberations in areas related to the mandate and functions of the 
Authority. 
2[5. Board of Governors.___ (1) The Authority shall have a Board of Governors comprising,___ 
 
1omitted by National Counter Terrorism Authority (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act No. XIV of 2020) s.2. 
2Substituted by National Counter Terrorism Authority (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act No. XIV of 2020) .s.3. 
 
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(a)  Minister In-charge of Interior Division Chairman 
(b)  Secretary, Interior Division Member 
(c)  Secretary, Defence Division Member 
(d)  Secretary, Law and Justice Division Member 
(e)  Secretary, Finance Division Member 
(f)  One member from the opposition and one member from Treasury 
benches respectively in the Senate of Pakistan to be nominated by the 
Chairman Senate 
Members 
(g)  One member from the opposition and one member from Treasury 
benches respectively in the National Assembly to be nominated by the 
Speaker, National Assembly 
Members 
(h)  Director General, Intelligence Bureau Member 
(i)  Director General, Federal Investigation Agency Member 
(j)  Director General (CT), Inter-Services-Intelligence Member 
(k)  Representative of Directorate General, Military Intelligence (Not less 
than DG) 
Member 
(l)  National Coordinator of the Authority Member 
(m)  Home Secretaries of the Provinces of Sindh, Punjab, Khyber 
Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and State of Azad Jammu 
and Kashmir and Chief Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory 
(ICT) 
Members 
(n)  Inspector General of Police of Provinces of Sindh, Punjab, Khyber 
Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Gilgit-
Baltistan and State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 
Members 
(2) The National Coordinator of the Authority shall act as the Secretary to the Board. 
(3) The Board may invite any person to the meeting on special invitation.] 
6. Procedure of the meeting of the Board.___ 1[* * * * * * *] 
1[* * * * * * *] 
(3) The quorum to hold a meeting shall be fifty per cent of the total membership: 
Provided that  1[*******], the presence of heads of various intelligence agencie s who are 
members of the Board shall be mandatory in every meeting of the Board while taking decision on any 
policy matter. 
 
1Omitted by National Counter Terrorism Authority (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act No. XIV of 2020) s.4. 
 
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(4) The Board may meet as and when required but it shall meet at least once in 1[* * *] a year. 
(5) No act or proceedings of the Board shall be invalid by reasons only of the existence of a 
vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of the Board. 
7. Powers and functions of the Board. ____(1) The powers and functions of the Board shall 
include, but would not be limited to, the following namely: 
(a)   the Board shall exercise all the powers and functions of the Authority; 
(b)   to provide strategic vision and oversee activities of the Authority; 
(c)   to recommend rules and approve policies and manuals in order to carry out the 
purposes of this Act; and 
(d)   to approve the annual budget prepared by the Authority. 
2[8. Executive Committee. ___ (1) The Board shall be assisted by an Executive  Committee 
comprising the following, namely:- 
(a) National Coordinator, NACTA 
 
Convener 
(b) Additional Secretary, Finance Division 
 
Member 
(c) Additional Secretary, Interior Division 
 
Member 
(d) Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
 
Member 
(e) Additional Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice 
 
Member 
(f) Additional Secretaries Home of the Provinces of 
Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, 
Gilgit-Baltistan and State of Azad Jammu and 
Kashmir and representatives of Chief 
Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).] 
 
Member 
(2) The National Coordinator shall also act as Secretary of the Executive Committee. 
 
 
(3) The quorum to hold meeting of the Executive Committee shall be fifty per cent of the total 
membership. 
 
 
1Omitted by National Counter Terrorism Authority (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act No. XXVI of 2017) s.2. 
2Substituted by National Counter Terrorism Authority (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act No. XIV of 2020) s.5. 
 
 
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(4) The Executive Committee may co-opt any other relevant person to the Executive Committee. 
(5) The Executive Committee shall ensure effective implementation of the decisions of the 
Board. 
 
(6) The Executive Committee shall perform such other functions as are assigned to it by the 
Board. 
1[(7) The Executive Committee may meet as and when required but it shall meet at least once in 
each quarter of a year.] 
9. National Coordinator. ___ (1) There shall be a National Coordinator of the Authority to be 
appointed by the Federal Government for tenure of three years. 
 
(2) The National Coordinator shall be a professional of known integrity and competence in BPS -
22 or equivalent and may be appointed in rotation form bureaucracy or Police Service of Pakistan. 
(3) The National Coordinator shall have the following powers, namely:- 
(a)   to execute the policies and plans approved by the Board and Instructions issued 
by the Federal Government; 
(b)   to prescribe terms and conditions of the employees and grant additional 
allowances or any other incentives; 
(c)   to have full financial and administrative powers for effective administration of the 
Authority, as approved by the Board; 
(d)   to engage any person or entity on contract basis to carry out assignments for the 
consultancy in accordance with acclaimed best practices; 
(e)   to establish administrative structures at the field level for efficient implementation 
and accessibility of the Authority; 
(f)    to submit quarterly progress reports to the Board on the financial and functional 
aspects of the Authority; 
(g)   to perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board; 
(h)   to undertake any other assignments given by the Board in the respective fields; 
and 
(i)   produce periodical journals relating to counter terrorism and counter extremism 
issues. 
 
1Added by National Counter Terrorism Authority (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act No. XXVI of 2017) s.3. 
 
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10. Deputy National Coordinator. ___(1) There shall be a Deputy National Coordinator of the 
Authority to be appointed by the Federal Government for a tenure of three years. 
(2) The Deputy Nat ional Coordinator shall be an eminent professional of known integrity and 
competence in BPS -21or equivalent and may be appointed in rotation from bureaucracy or Police 
Service of Pakistan. 
(3) The National Coordinator may delegate any of his powers under s ub-section (1) of Section 9 
to the Deputy National Coordinator with the approval of the Board subject to such conditions and 
limitations as may be specified in this behalf by the board. 
11. Appointment of officers, staff etc., by the Authority. ____ (1) The Authority may from time 
to time appoint, either through direct recruitment or through deputation such officials, experts or 
consultants as it may consider necessary for the performance of functions in the prescribed manner. 
(2) The Authority shall prescri be service regulations, with the approval of the Board for the 
appointment, promotion and transfer of officers, staff, experts and consultants, their terms and 
conditions of service including additional financial incentives such as special salaries, allowa nces, 
pension or gratuity etc., constitution and management of pension and gratuity and shall be competent to 
take disciplinary action against them. 
(3) All appointments of officers and staff etc. shall be made with the approval of the Board and 
their security clearance shall be carried out by Directorate General ISI. 
12. Appointment of officers, staff etc., in cases of special requirement. ____ Subject to the 
provisions of this Act, the National Coordinator may, in case of urgency, appoint officers staff, e xperts 
and consultants on prescribed terms and conditions, provided that every such appointment shall be laid 
before the Board in the next meeting. 
13. Delegation of powers. ____ The National Coordinator may by special order delegate his 
powers and functions to the Deputy National Coordinator or any other senior officer of the Authority: 
Provided that the National Coordinator may delegate his powers and functions under this 
provision sparingly and not as a rule. 
14. Fund. —(1) There shall be established a fun d to be known as NACTA Research and 
Development Fund. 
(2)  The Fund shall consist of,___ 
(a)   funds or budget amount received from the Federal Government; 
(b)  grants made by the international bodies, organizations and entities, in accordance 
with procedures laid down by the Federal Government; 
(c)   such other sums as may be received by the Authority. 
 
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(3) The Fund shall be administered by the National Coordinator in such manner as prescribed. 
(4) The Authority may receive international assistance in the f ield of counter terrorism and 
counter extremism under the prescribed manner. 
15. Budget for the Authority. ____ (1) The National Coordinator shall, in respect of each 
financial year in accordance with the financial procedures approved by the Board, prepare the annual 
budget estimates of the Authority and submit the same to the Federal Government after the approval of 
the Board. 
(2) The National Coordinator shall have full powers to incur expenditures and re -appropriate 
funds as per system of financial contro l and budgeting of the Federal Government with the approval of 
the Board. 
16. Maintenance of accounts and internal control. ____ The Authority shall maintain complete 
and accurate books of accounts in connection with the discharge of its responsibilities as  may be 
prescribed by the Auditor-General of Pakistan. 
17. Audit .___ (1) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited every year by the Auditor -
General of Pakistan in such manners as may be prescribed. 
(2) The Authority shall appoint its own financial ad visor to regulate the financial matters and for 
internal audit. 
18. Annual Report. —The Authority shall compile and submit an annual -report on its activities 
and accounts to the Board. 
19. Assistance and provision of information .____ (1) The Federal Governm ent and Provincial. 
Governments and their Departments shall assist the Authority in carrying out its functions, subject to 
applicable laws. 
(2)  All Federal Ministries and Provincial Departments including Corporations bodies, set ups, 
controlled or administered by or under the authority of Federal or Provincial Governments shall provide 
information and data required for carrying out the purposes of this Act, subject to applicable laws. 
20. lndenmity.___ No prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Authority 
or its officers and consultants for anything done in good faith for carrying out the purposes of this Act or 
rules and regulations made thereunder. 
21. Power of the Federal Government to issue directives.____ The Federal Government may, as 
and when it considers necessary, is sue directives to the Authority on matters of  policy and such 
directives shall be binding on the Authority, Federal, Provincial and Local Governments and if a 
question arises whether any matter is a matter of po licy or not, the decision of the Federal Government 
thereon shall be final. 
 
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22. Power to make rules and regulations .___(1) The Federal Government may, on the 
recommendation of the Board, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
(2) The National Coordinator may make regulations for the following purposes, namely:- 
(a)   effective and smooth functioning of the Authority;   
(b)   internal working of the Authority; 
(c)   terms and conditions of the employees and grant of additional allowances or an y 
other incentives. 
23. Provisions of this Act. ___ The provisions  of this Act shall be in addition to and not in 
derogation to any other law for the time being enforced. 
24. Employees deemed to be Public Servants .___ The employees of the Authority shall be  
deemed to be Public Servants within the meaning of Section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV 
1860). 
 
 
 
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