Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has announced that the concerns of the PTI, JUI, and ANP regarding 'Operation Azm-e-Istehkam' will be thoroughly addressed.
In a press conference held in Lahore on Tuesday, Khawaja Asif addressed the media regarding the newly announced military operation, aimed at combating terrorism and ensuring national security. He emphasized the importance of the operation and highlighted the government's unified stance, adding that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's orders are sought on all matters.
"Nawaz Sharif is in full agreement regarding this operation," Asif stated, and added that everything is going on in consultation with the party leader. He called for the media to hold everyone accountable and also keep an eye on the military operation.
Asif urged provincial governments to contribute actively to the military operation, emphasizing that peace is a collective responsibility. He proposed that provinces, rather than the federal government, should bear the financial burden of deploying Rangers for security operations. "In a few days, things will be finalized regarding the operation."
The minister highlighted the challenges posed by individuals sheltering terrorists and the necessity of stringent measures to prevent unauthorized movement without passports. He acknowledged that the return of the Taliban had exacerbated security issues, and despite various proposals discussed between them, negotiations with the Taliban had not yielded significant progress.
Asif appealed to political leaders, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, to prioritize national integrity over electoral gains. "All three parties must not stand for the vote bank, but support national integrity. Chinese investment is being hampered," he added. He criticized conspiracies aimed at making Pakistan a no-go area for Chinese investment, stressing the need for national unity to counter these threats.
Calling for comprehensive support, Asif urged the media, judiciary, and elites to back the operation. He pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had hinted at strong support for the operation. "The series of killings from terrorism should end," he stressed.
The minister emphasized the need for justice and support from the judiciary to ensure the operation's effectiveness, adding that it would be based on intelligence and not ground-based. He further said most of the operation would take place in Balochistan and KP.
Asif reassured that the operation is part of the National Action Plan (NAP), drawing comparisons with past operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fasaad. He noted that the current security landscape is different from the past, with a stronger government writ in areas like Swat and FATA. Despite this, he acknowledged the influence of the Taliban in some regions during nighttime.
"Public opinion on the issue will be smoothed through consensus in parliament, where the operation will be discussed," he assured.
Reiterating the non-political nature of the operation, Asif affirmed that its sole aim is to eradicate the wave of terrorism. He announced that further details regarding the stabilization operation would be finalized in the coming days and discussed in Parliament to shape public opinion through common consensus.
