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NACTA Gets Strong New Leadership as Major General Faisal Naseer Appointed Coordinator
NACTA has received new leadership with the federal government appointing Major General Faisal Naseer as the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority for a three-year term.
The Establishment Division issued the appointment notification on September 4, 2026, following approval from the federal government. According to the notification, the appointment has been made on a secondment basis under Section 9(1) of the NACTA Act, 2013, with immediate effect and until further orders.
Major General Faisal Naseer Gets Key NACTA Role
Major General Faisal Naseer has been assigned the position at a time when Pakistan continues to face significant terrorism and extremism-related security challenges.
The Establishment Division notification confirms that the federal government approved his appointment as National Coordinator of NACTA for three years. His placement is on standard secondment terms and took effect immediately.
The appointment gives the senior military officer a central role in coordinating the country’s institutional response to terrorism and violent extremism.
Three-Year Appointment Under NACTA Act
The appointment has been made under Section 9(1) of the NACTA Act, 2013. The notification specifies a three-year tenure on a secondment basis.
The Establishment Division also circulated the notification to senior government offices and relevant federal and provincial authorities, reflecting the national scope of NACTA’s coordination responsibilities.
The formal appointment comes without announcing any new counterterrorism operation or separate security policy. Instead, it establishes new leadership for the authority responsible for coordinating national counterterrorism efforts.
Faisal Naseer’s Security and Intelligence Background
Major General Faisal Naseer is an experienced Pakistan Army officer who has held senior responsibilities in intelligence and security affairs. Multiple reports identify him as having previously served as Director General Counter-Intelligence at Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
He is also a recipient of the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Basalat, according to reports on the appointment and the Establishment Division notification.
His background in intelligence and security operations brings experience relevant to NACTA’s coordination mandate.
NACTA’s National Counterterrorism Role
NACTA serves as Pakistan’s central institution for coordinating counterterrorism and counter-extremism efforts.
The authority was established in 2008 and operates under the Ministry of Interior. Its responsibilities include developing comprehensive national strategies against terrorism and extremism, preparing action plans, monitoring implementation and reporting progress to the federal government.
NACTA was also assigned an important role in implementing the 20-point National Action Plan, which was developed following the December 2014 Army Public School attack.
The authority’s work therefore involves coordination among federal and provincial institutions involved in preventing and responding to terrorism.
Appointment Comes Amid Security Challenges
The leadership change comes as Pakistan continues to confront militant violence and security threats, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The two provinces have remained major areas of counterterrorism activity, with law-enforcement and security institutions continuing efforts against militant networks.
Against this backdrop, effective coordination between intelligence, law-enforcement and administrative institutions remains an important component of Pakistan’s national security framework.
Focus on Coordination and Counterterrorism Strategy
As National Coordinator, Major General Faisal Naseer will assume a central coordination role within Pakistan’s counterterrorism architecture.
His responsibilities will involve helping coordinate relevant institutions and supporting the implementation of national strategies and action plans against terrorism and extremism.
The appointment does not itself announce a new counterterrorism policy, but it places an officer with an intelligence and security background at the centre of NACTA’s coordination mechanism.
With his three-year tenure now established, attention will focus on how effectively NACTA strengthens institutional cooperation and contributes to Pakistan’s broader efforts against terrorism and violent extremism. See More on Pulse Pakistan
