Imran opposes military operation in erstwhile FATA yet again

ISLAMABAD: With terrorism on the rise and the TTP — also called Khawarij — trying to gain a foothold in areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Imran Khan — the incarcerated PTI founder — has yet again opposed any military action in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

And the solution is offering is talks, a repeat of his long-standing stance.

In a latest message posted on X, he asked Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur not allow military operation in the province.

“I want to give a clear message to Ali Amin Gandapur that the Centre should not be given any permission to carry carry out another military operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal areas [merged districts since the passage of 22nd Amendment],” he said.

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Interestingly, the PTI founder still persists with using tribal areas (FATA), which have become part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in May 31, 2018.

The change with far-reaching political and social ramifications was introduced despite opposition from the likes of religiopolitical parties — JUI-F whose chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman still claims that it was a mistake — and some nationalists — Mehmood Khan Achakzai who has very little political support, if any, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It was meant to bring the backward region at par with the rest of Pakistan by introducing legal reforms.

The critics say it didn’t bring any change to the lives of locals, but the argument is rejected by saying the reason is the PTI itself.

At the same time, they say that the PTI is ruling Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2013 and did not nothing to achieve the desired objectives. Obviously, the provinces are empowered in this respect through the 18th Amendment.

STATEMENT AND REPLY

Meanwhile, it is also argued the law and order is now a provincial subject. The Centre needs approval from the provincial government for any operation.

Last month, Gandapur questioned the visits of two federal ministers — Ishaq Dar and Mohsin Naqvi — and said they won’t allow any operation or the use of drones in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, there was a swift response.

Read more: Naqvi to Gandapur: Will use all resources against terrorists

HIS REASONING

According to Imran, any clash between the “people” and the military destroys the latter, as he yet again called for a “negotiated settlement”, while also stressing the need for improved relations with Afghanistan.

However, the critics do not agree.

They says it is a stated government stance that Afghanistan has failed to act against the terrorists present on its soil. The terrorists groups like TTP are operating from Afghanistan and carry out terror attacks in Pakistan.

In this connection, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently visited Kabul and pressed ahead with the demand to act against the terrorists who, he said, are destabilising the entire region.

Read more: Terrorist outfits producing instability, joint action needed: Pakistan

On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar recently said the “cup of tea” at a Kabul hotel after the Taliban takeover had proved to be very expensive.

Read more: Having the cup of tea in Kabul proved to be very costly: Dar