Pakistan ‘not to seek US support’ for Operation Azm-e-Istehkam

• “Reservations on Azm-e-Istehkam will be addressed and discussed in parliament,” says defence minister

• Operation Azm-e-Istehkam being opposed on ‘political grounds’: Asif.
• Says economic stability cannot be attained under elimination of terrorism.
• “Azm-e-Istehkam will not result in displacement of local people.”

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has clarified that Pakistan will not seek US support in conducting the Operation Azm-e-Istehkam launched to root out the menace of militancy from the country.

In an interview with a US media outlet, he said that the decision to launch a new operation was not made in haste, adding that Pakistan witnessed a significant surge in terrorist incidents.

The Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP) last Saturday approved the “Operation Azm-e-Istehkam”, a reinvigorated and re-energised national counter-terrorism drive, to eliminate terrorism from the country.

However, opposition parties including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) opposed the military operation, demanding that parliament must be taken into confidence about the new operation.

Referring to the opposition’s criticism in today’s interview, the defence minister said some political groups and parties are opposing the military operation for political point scoring.

“Political parties’ reservations on Azm-e-Istehkam will be addressed and the [operation] will be discussed in parliament,” he said, adding that the opposition parties would be briefed on details of the operation.

He also said that Azm-e-Ishtehkam is being opposed on “political grounds” as some parties prioritised their political interests over the country.

Moreover, Asif said all All Parties Conference (APC) could be called to evolve consensus on the operation.

The federal minister maintained that terrorism is linked to the country’s economy, saying that the economic condition couldn’t be improved until terrorism is wiped out from the country. “How the foreign investment would come without eliminating terrorism?”

Asif also said that China expressed concerns over Pakistan’s security situation as the former wanted to see its neighbour economically independent.

He added that Pakistan would be China’s first priority if it improves the security situation. The defence minister said that the military operation — Azm-e-Istehkam — was also being conducted given the country’s economic hardships.

Responding to a question, Asif said cross-border elements were operating the banned outfit while some of its cells were working in Pakistani territory, he said.

“Exporting terrorism from Afghanistan soil to our territory is a clear violation of international law. A party is violating the international law and not fulfilling its right as a neighbour.”

Commenting on the expected adverse impacts of another military operation, Asif claimed that Azm-e-Istehkam’s scope would be entirely different from past operations as it would not result in a large-scale displacement of locals.