Pak to table draft law to counter increasing militant use of IEDs under US pressure

Islamabad, Apr 9(ANI): Pakistan is likely to table a draft legislation to counter the increasing use of Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) by militants on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghan border following constant pressure by the United Sates on the issue.

Draft legislation for the National Strategy to Counter-IED will be soon tabled in parliament for approval, The Express Tribune reports.

The move comes after the US has been consistently pressing Pakistan to take stringent measures against the preparation of IEDs and also urged it to colour and tag Amonium Nitrate (AN)-based fertilisers.

The proposed C-IED Act 2012 will provide a legal framework for the strategy and deal with issues like monitoring and controlling ingredients used in IED-making and prosecution of criminals by introducing new amendments to existing laws.

The national strategy, soon to be made public, has been prepared by the National Counter-IED Forum.

An official said that under directives of the government, Pakistan Industries Ministry has tightened the implementation of control over explosives and banned the export of CAN.

One of the most fatal tactical weapons used by militants, IEDs have caused 13,918 casualties, which comprises 47 percent of the total casualties suffered during the past four years on Pakistan's side of the border. (ANI)