Evaluating Pakistan’s Police Counter-Terrorism Training: Strengths, Weaknesses, and an Action Plan for Enhanced Professional Effectiveness

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive, evidence‑based evaluation of a six‑week counter‑terrorism training program delivered to 50 Punjab police trainees (40 men, 10 women) using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Employing pre‑ and post‑tests, staged observations, paired t‑tests, ANOVA, correlations, structural equation modeling, and thematic analysis of expert interviews, the study identifies strengths across three critical dimensions: knowledge (global/local terrorism dynamics, legal-policy frameworks, extremist ideology awareness), attitudes (proactive mindset, ethical conduct, national-security commitment), and skills (tactical combat, surveillance/cyber intelligence, negotiation). Documented weaknesses include uneven socioeconomic integration, cyber-intelligence gaps, ethical-stress vulnerabilities, cultural insensitivity, gender blind spots, and limited advanced technological use, crisis-negotiation – independent interrogation units , and equipment training. To address these, a six-pillar action plan—standardized national curricula, expanded cyber modules, dedicated negotiation-interrogation units, socioeconomic CVE partnerships, nationwide modernization of facilities/equipment, and targeted international collaborations—is proposed to ensure cohesive, context-sensitive, professionally robust training. The rigorous methodological design ensures reliability, validity, and provides actionable insights crucial for strategic stakeholders and policymakers aiming to enhance national security practices.