Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism

There shall be a Board of Governors for the Center to administer and manage the affairs of the Center.

The Board of Governor shall consist of:

Contact No: 091-9214448

Email: coecve@kp.gov.pk

Mailing Address: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism, Rano Garhi, Chamkani, Peshawar

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Published by Authority

PESHAWAR, TUESDAY, 07° SEPTEMBER, 2021.

PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

NOTIFICATION

Dated Peshawar, the 07" September, 2021.

No. PA/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/Bills-178/2021/4122.— The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Bill, 2021 having been passed by the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 30" August, 2021 and assented to by the Governor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 07‘ September, 2021 is hereby published as an Act of the Provincial Legislature of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

THE KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ON COUNTERING

VIOLENT EXTREMISM ACT, 2021.

(KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA ACT NO. XVIII OF 2021)

(First published after having received the assent of the Governor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the Gazette of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, (Extraordinary), dated the 07" September, 2021).

AN ACT

to provide for the establishment of a research based Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the establishment of research based Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to cope with the severe emerging issues, challenges springing from the terrorism, subversive activities against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan through narratives of hatred, extremism. radicalization, intolérance, abusing charities, funds generation for entities of concern, glorification of terrorism, terrorist’s organizations and also to diagnose the root causes and for matters connected therewith or-ancillary thereto;

It is hereby enacted. by the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as follow:

1. Short title, extent and commencement.

1. This Act may be called the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Act, 2021.
2.  It shall extend to the whole of Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
3.  It shall come into force at once.

2.  Definition.--- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,

(a)  “Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors constituted under section 4 of the this Act;

(b)  “Centre” means the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism, established under section 3 of this Act;

(c) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Board of Governors;

(d) “Chief Coordination Officer” means the Chief ‘Coordination Officer of the Center;

(e) “countering violent extremism” means to prohibit the commission of violent acts. activities and beliefs to achieve ideological. religious. economical. social or political goals that leads to terrorism activities:

(f) “Fund” means the Fund established under section 10 of this Act;

(g) “Government” means the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa;

(h) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules or regulations;

(i) “regulations” mean the regulations made under this Act; and

(j)  “rules” mean the rules made under this Act.

3. Establishment of the Centre.

(1) Soon after the commencement of this Act, Government shall establish a Centre, to be known as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism.

(2) The Centre shall be headed by a Chief Coordination Officer, who shall be assisted by an Additional Coordination Officer and a Deputy Coordination Officer.

(3) The Chief Coordination Officer, Additional Coordination Officer and Deputy Coordination Officer shall be appointed under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Servants Act, 1973.

(4) ‘The criteria for appointment of Chief Coordination Officer. Additional Coordination Officer and Deputy Coordination Officer, shall be such as provided in the Schedule appended to this Act.

(5) The Chief Coordinator Officer, Additional Coordination Officer and Deputy Coordination Officer shall undergo mandatory course for the purpose of their efficient performance under this Act.

4.  Board of Governors

(1) There shall be a Board of Governors for the Center to administer and manage the affairs of the Center.

(2) The Board of Governor shall consist of:

(3) The Chairperson may co-opt any person, as he may deem fit and such member shall have no right to cast vote.

(4)  The Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Governors and in case of his absence. the Vice-Chairperson shall preside over the meeting.

5. Meetings of the Board of Governors.

(1) The Board of Governors shall meet on quarterly basis in a year.

(2) Subject to the approval of the Chairperson, the Secretary of the Board of Governors may convene the meeting of the Board of Governors at such time and place as the Chairperson he may deem necessary.

(3) The decisions of the Center shall be taken by majority of votes of its members present.

(4) The Secretary of the Board of Governors shall prepare the agenda and minutes of the meeting.

(5) The half members of the total membership shall constitute quorum of the meeting.

(6) Powers and functions of the Board of Governors.--- The Board of Governors shall-

1. 1. ensure that the objectives of the Center within the overall ambit of Government policies are achieved:
2. 1. oversee the effective management of the Center and provide strategic direction;
   2. ensure that the performance of the Center and its programs are efficient and effective;
   3. prescribe procedure for appointment, terms and conditions of service, disciplinary matters and other service matters for the employees of the Center under section 9 of this Act;
   4. approve the vision and mission statement of the Center:
   5. approve the annual research priorities and program;
   6. review and approve the annual research report;
3. 1. monitor organizational performance of the Center;
   2. approve the financial plans and annual budget of the Center;
   3. approve the academic and research programs and services of the Center to ensure that fulfills legal, regulatory and accreditation requirements;
   4. constitute committees and sub-committees, as it may deem appropriate and set terms of reference for each committee and sub- committees as constituted; and
   5. compliance to Government policies and standards. And in case of any deviation from agreed standards or procedures shall obtain prior approval from Government.

7. Powers and functions of the Centre.--- The Centre shall-

1. carry out research activities for countering violent extremism;
2. coordinate and prepare comprehensive strategies for countering violent extremism and review them on periodical basis;
3. develop action plans for countering violent extremism and report about implications of these plans on periodical basis to Government;
4. engage groups of experts from Government and non-governmental organizations for deliberations in areas related to counter violent extremism;
5. provides mechanical support to FATF working groups;
6. establish operational procedures for information gathering, processes and disseminations;
7. provide training, develop modules and other programmes;
8. institute fellowships for promotion of research in the fields of countering violent extremism;
9. establish an information network to counter violent extremism and combat terrorism; ,
10. organize workshops seminars, symposia and other programme for enhancing the capacity of various institutions in the prevention and combating terrorism in the Province;
11. receive and collect data or information, or intelligence and disseminate and coordinate between all relevant stakeholders to analyze threat assessments with periodical reviews to be presented to Government for making adequate and timely efforts to counter violent extremism and combat terrorism;
12. work with faith-based organizations and religious leaders to counter the abuse of religion by violent extremists;
13. work with the media to promote human rights and tolerance;
14. carry out liaison with international entities for facilitating cooperation in areas relating to terrorism, extremism and terrorist financing issues and challenges;
15. analysis to ensure a better understanding of the contextual drivers that have tipped disaffection and radicalization into violent extremist behavior and inform more effective conflict sensitive planning on the ground; and
16. perform such functions as may be assigned to it by Government.

8. Chief Coordination Officer.---

(1) The Chief Coordination Officer, shall be the Secretary of the Board of Governors and shall perform such functions and exercise such powers as may be prescribed by regulations or delegated to him by the Board of Governors.

(2) The Chief Coordination Officer shall act as the Principal Accounting Officer of the Center.

(3) Subject to the approval of the Board of Governors, the Chief Coordination Officer shall-

1. ensure initiation, processing and completion of the MoUs, collaboration with the donors and other stakeholders for the launch of any seminar, symposium, project, research, summit, conference;
2. plan, construct and activate the database for the achievement of the aim of the Centre; and
3. any other task assigned to it by the Board of Governors;

(4) The Chief Coordination Officer, while acting with reference to conducting meetings of the Board of Governors, shall be responsible for-

(a) convening meetings of the Board of Governors with the approval of Chairperson;

(b) the preparation of the agenda, working paper and its distribution among the members;

(c) recording the minutes of each meeting of the Board of Governors and its prompt dispatch to the concerned quarters: -

(d) implement decisions of the Board of Governors; and

(e) proper follow-up of all matters connected with or arising out of ameeting of the Board of Governors.

9. Officers, advisers, consultants and other employees of the Centre.---

1) The Centre may employ such officers, advisers, consultants and other employees as may be necessary for efficient performance of its functions on such terms and conditions as may  be prescribed:

Provided that till the appointment of the employees, the Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department shall, on the request of Chief Coordination Officer, provide such number of technical support staff to the Centre as may be required.

(2) In performance of their duties, officers, advisers. consultants and employees of the Centre shall abide by directions of the Chief Coordination Officer.

10. Fund

(1) There shall be established a Fund to be vested in the Centre, which shall be utilized by the Centre to meet all such costs and charges incurred in connection with its functions and affairs.

(2)  The Fund shall consist of-

1. grants made by Government or Federal Government from time totime:
2. contributions and donations from individuals, local bodies corporations, institutions, organizations and agencies;
3. income from any other source ; and
4. grants from any other source.

11. Accounts and Audit.---

1. The Fund shall be kept in a scheduled bank and shall operated in accordance with the direction of the Board of Governors.
2. The accounts of the Fund shall be maintained in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed.
3. The Chief Coordination Officer shall prepare Annual Account Statement of the Fund within thirty days of closing of the respective financial year.

1. Accounts of the Fund shall be audited by the Auditor General of Pakistan.

12. Employees of the Center.--- All employees of the Center shall, when acting or purporting to be act in pursuance of this Act, be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860).

13. Annual report.---

(1) Subject to approval of the Board of Governors, the Center shall. within three months of the close of a finical year, submit to Government an annual performance report of the Center through Higher Education Department of Government. .

(2) Government shall, within two months of receiving the annual report from the Center. give notice for laying the report in Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

14. Indemnity.---No prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings shall be instituted against any person in respect of anything which is, in good faith, done or intended to be done under this Act.

15. Application of other laws.---The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation from any other relevant law, for the time being in force.

16. Power to make rules.--- Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

17. Power to make regulations.--- Subject to the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, the Board of Governors, may make regulations for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

SCHEDULE

[see section 3 (4)]

Criteria for appointment of the Chief Coordination Officer, Additional Coordination Officer, Deputy Coordination Officer.

1. Chief Coordination Officer:

1. Minimum qualification by initial recruitment:

At least First Class Ph.D. in Social Sciences and Master’s Degree in Education or Law from a recognized University with at least four years service in BPS-19 or above having sufficient experience in countering violent extremism or counter terrorism or countering terrorists financing Provincial or Federal Government Departments; and

1. age Limit: 40 to 50 years.

2. Additional Coordination Officer:

1. Minimum qualification by initial recruitment:

At least First Class Ph.D. in Social Sciences and Bachelor’s Degree in Education or Law from a recognized University with at least three years’ service in BPS-18 or above having sufficient experience in countering violent extremism or counter terrorism or countering terrorists financing Provincial or Federal Government Departments; and ,

1. age Limit: 35 to 45 years.

3. Deputy Coordination Officer:

1. Minimum qualification by initial recruitment:

At least First Class M.Phil. in Leadership and Management Studies from a recognized University with at least two years service in BPS-18 or four years service in BPS-17 having experience in peace promotion initiatives of Provincial or Federal Government Departments; and

1. age Limit: 30 to 35 years.

BY ORDER OF MR. SPEAKER PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

(NASRULLAH KHAN KHATTAK)

Secretary

Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Printed and published by the Manager,

Staty. & Ptg. Deptt., Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar