News
Thursday, March 04, 2010
UK training Pak officials in anti-terrorism communication
* 63 mid-level military, civilian officers being trained in first batch to effectively communicate issues related to counter terrorism
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: After training a select group of combat troops in counter-terrorism operations, the UK has started training Pakistani civilian and military officials in effective counter-terrorism communication strategies.
Senior government sources said the first three training workshops on ‘Strategic Communication on Public-Cultural Diplomacy: A Pakistan UK Collaborative Training Initiative’ with the focus on counter-terrorism communication would conclude today (Thursday).
“In the first batch, 63 mid-level military and civilian officers are being trained to effectively communicate issues related to counter terrorism to improve public perception about the war on terror,” said the sources.
UK Communications Director at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ian Hargreaves and other British experts are conducting the training, which is being facilitated by Information Ministry and held at the Information Service Academy.
“The aim of the training is to improve communication among various stakeholders to help Pakistan reduce opposition in the war on terror and also improve image of the UK among the Pakistani masses,” they said.
The sources said UK officials were worried because of the negative stereotyping of the country in the Muslim world, especially Pakistan.”
Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and British High Commissioner Adam Thompson inaugurated the training on Tuesday. Both officials hope that such trainings would come around more often to benefit the two nations in their efforts against terrorism.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk