Azm-e-Istakham: Concerns of PTI, JUI to be addressed, assures minister

LAHORE: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Tuesday that the federal government would ensure to provide satisfactory answers to the concerns of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jammiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI) over Azm-e-Istakham, a newly announced anti-militancy operation.

The minister, while addressing journalists during a presser in Lahore, said that the proposal for launching the operation would be presented before the federal cabinet today, following which, it will be laid before the parliament.

“We will create a consensus among the [parties]. The opposition parties and allies. We will give them ample time to discuss this issue. Whatever their questions or concerns, it will be responded to in a satisfying manner”, the minister said, while addressing journalists during a presser in Lahore.

Asif stated that the operation is intelligence-based and its details will be finalized in the coming days. He further emphasized that provinces will have to contribute financially to the operation.

Maulana Fazl terms ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ operation ‘Adam Istehkam’ operation

He refuted comparisons between this operation and previous ones, asserting that there is no established reign of terror by militants in the country. Asif also highlighted that the provinces hold significant funds and should contribute to the costs of deploying Rangers, as the federation already bears the financial burden.

Asif clarified that the operation is intelligence-based, unlike previous operations which led to mass displacement. He attributed the current wave of terrorism to the return and re-establishment of the Taliban after the success of operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, which had brought peace to the country.

The government had, last week, announced a fresh counter-terrorism operation, pledging to utilise the full strength of the country’s resources, including military, diplomatic, and legislative, to turn the heat up on militants.

In response, PTI, Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP), and others voiced concerns over the new military operation, demanding that parliament must be taken into confidence before taking any such decision and that they opposed the operation.

Following much criticism, the federal government issued a policy statement, saying that “no large-scale military operation is being launched” in the country.

“The recently announced vision for enduring stability named Azm-e-Istehkam is being erroneously misunderstood and compared with earlier launched kinetic operations like Zarb-e-Azab, Rah-e-Najaat etc,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.