Asif vows to address opposition concerns regarding operation Azm-i-Istehkam

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the federal government would ensure to provide satisfactory answers to the concerns raised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf over the newly announced operation Azm-i-Istehkam.

The clarification came apparently in the wake of intense opposition criticism of the government’s plans to launch military action without consulting parliament.

The minister made the clarification while addressing a presser in Lahore. He said that the proposal for launching the operation would be presented before the federal cabinet today (Tuesday).

It will then be presented in the parliament.

“We will create a consensus among the [parties]… the opposition parties and allies,” he said. “We will give them ample time to discuss this issue. Whatever their questions or concerns, it will be responded to in a satisfying manner.”

Last week, the coalition government had announced a fresh counter-terrorism operation, pledging to utilise the full strength of the country’s resources.

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.

The Defense Minister said that the purpose of operation Azm-i-Istehkam is to restore government authority in some areas, all parties should support the law enforcement agencies, concerns and questions related to the operation will be answered.

He said that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not have any difference of opinion in the Apex Committee, the Chief Minister said in hushed words that he would support the operation.

Asif further said that controlling terrorism is not only the job of the army but also of the rest of the institutions.

The federal minister said that the judiciary will also have to support this effort of national security, 5,000 to 6,000 terrorists were settled here, the return of terrorists brought destruction.

“The operation will be held in Stability, especially in KP and Balochistan, if terrorism is not controlled, it will spread to other provinces and its effects will be across the country,” he said.

He said that operation commitment stability will be done on the basis of intelligence, peace has come in Afghanistan, terrorism is still taking place in Pakistan, there will be no displacement of any population in Azm-i-Istehkam, the decision of negotiations was taken at the will of the civilian government of the past, both the wars fought during former Generals Zia ul Haq and Pervez Musharraf era were of American interests, the war against terrorism is nobody’s need.