Islamabad, Oct 19 (IANS): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said a special counter-terrorism force (SCTF) would be formed soon in the country's Punjab province.

Sharif said this while chairing a meeting Friday where he was given a presentation on the special force to counter terror, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Inspector General (IG) Khan Baig and officials of various law enforcement agencies also attended the meeting.

The prime minister said the new force should be raised immediately with a new command structure and be professionally sound, competent and adequately paid.

He said the anti-terrorism force's structure would be separate from that of police.

"Law enforcement agencies need to show zero tolerance towards heinous crimes," he said.

"We have promulgated laws which would deal with the enemies of the state within the framework of our Constitution and based on principles laid down by our founding fathers," Sharif said.

"Terrorists, target killers and extortionists would be dealt with an iron hand and they would be brought to justice," he added.