Interior Minister Ijaz Shah on Thursday said that National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has played a vigorous role in the elimination of terrorism from the country.

The Minister made these comments while chairing a high-profile meeting of NACTA board of governors in Islamabad. During the meeting they reviewed 14-points agenda.

Utilisation of budget of the NCTA via Finance Division was approved by the board. They were also satisfied with the medical facilities for the employees under the described rules and regulations.

The board also approved the provision of other facilities including BPS scale to the employees.

Ijaz Ahmed also reposed satisfaction over the performance of the body and directed to keep a transparent record of the resources and the expenses of the authority.

As per the annual report by NACTA, at least 517 people died across the country in 2018 in terror-related incidents.

Pakistan witnessed a significant cut in terrorism incidents during 2018, the report had said.

Balochistan remained the most affected province despite the downtrend in terrorism, further stated the report. Overall terrorism in Balochistan and erstwhile FATA have reduced by 22 percent, it added.

The NACTA said terrorism had reduced by 80 percent in 2018 in Sindh.