Despite getting official approval, a new Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is facing major financial hurdles. The financial burden for creating 613 new positions has been placed on the “resource-strapped” GB government, and construction funds for the project have been postponed until the next fiscal year.
A Central Development Working Party (CDWP) meeting, led by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission on July 25, reviewed the “Raising of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in GB” project, which has a total cost of over Rs1.5 billion. This initiative was a direct result of a directive from the prime minister, who, during a visit on November 6 of the previous year, ordered the establishment of the CTD in GB within six months.
The project is designed to strengthen the GB Police’s capabilities by “addressing critical gaps in human and technical resources, enabling effective responses to terrorist incidents and the conduct of comprehensive investigations.” While the CDWP did approve the civil works part of the project—the construction of a CTD Headquarters in Gilgit and a regional office in Chilas at a cost of Rs720.50 million—it noted that the funds would not be released until the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The project will be sponsored by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, GB and States and Frontier Regions.
The Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives cited “reduced fiscal space in PSDP” and a “substantial” existing financial commitment to GB as reasons for the delay. It advised the GB government to either finance the project with its own resources or seek recurring budget support from the Finance Division.
During the meeting, the chairman of the planning division explained that the PSDP is intended for development, while recurring costs like arms and ammunition should be covered by the current budget. The GB Home Department informed the forum that its regional budget is already short on resources, a situation made worse by ongoing floods, and cannot accommodate any new projects. It also mentioned that the Finance Division is considering a Rs40 billion reduction from the approved PSDP, which would limit funding to only ongoing strategic projects.
Separately, the Federal Finance Division agreed to the creation of the 613 new posts for the department. However, in a letter to the GB Home and Prisons Department, it attached strict conditions. The letter, from Section Officer Babar Nazir, stated that “the additional financial implications shall be met out by the GB government from their available resources and no additional funds will be provided for this purpose.”
