Operation Azm-e-Istehkam imperative for govt, not military: Khawaja Asif
Pakistan
Operation will not cause displacement of people, he promises
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif says Operation Azm-e-Istehkam is imperative for the government, not military.
In an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Asif said there was no expectation of resurgence of terrorism after military operations conducted in past. "Operation Azm-e-Istehkam is not military's but our need, and this is the responsibility of the government," he said.
He said the new spirit and rigorous operation were required to deal with the recent wave of terrorism. There was a need for a new arrangement after spike in the terror incidents. The operation would not cause displacement (of people) rather it would be an intelligence-based operation, he said.
The defence minister said that in the last decade, many incidents such as evacuation of Nato and US forces from Afghanistan and return of TTP fighters to the country in the regime of Imran Khan led to rise in terrorism.
He said there was a hope that the Afghan government would cooperate with Pakistan but they did not express readiness to fight against the TTP militants due to their alliance with them.
After dialogue with Taliban, the experience of bringing back 5,000 or so people failed and those who were conducting attacks from Afghanistan, got safe havens in Pakistan. The government, he said, would continue to target the TTP sanctuaries.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ADDRESS
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Friday the Afghan territory was being used for committing terrorism, bloodshed, and destruction in Pakistan.
Pakistan possessed concrete evidence that its enemies had sanctuaries in Afghanistan and would take counter measures to defend its citizens, he said in the National Assembly.
The defence minister recounted his visit to Kabul during which he had conveyed to the Afghan authorities that fostering good relations would be beneficial for both nations.
He urged the opposition not to do politicking on terrorism as it was a matter of national security and honouring the blood of martyrs.
Khawaja Asif highlighted the adverse impacts of terrorism on the country’s economy, alleging that some opposition members had links with the Taliban. Such people had facilitated the return of 6,000 terrorists of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to the country, he added.
The minister stressed the importance of national unity in combating terrorism and protecting Pakistan’s sovereignty and security.
OPERATION AZM-E-ISTEHKAM
The defence minister, a day earler, said Operation Azm-e-Istehkam would be launched in consultation with political parties and stakeholders to bring complete peace and stability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Balochistan.
"Peace and stability are vital for boosting economic and business activities in Pakistan, particularly in KP and Balochistan," he told a private television channel.
Pakistan, he said, had carried out many operations in the past to flush out terrorists. "We have achieved a great success while fighting war on terror."
The terrorists had been operating from Afghan soil to sabotage peaceful environment of our country, he said.
Pakistan had made a lot of sacrifices while fighting war on terror but the Afghan authorities never acknowledged the efforts of Pakistan for peace in the region. "The terrorists have roots and hideouts in some parts of Afghanistan and the operation is still continuing there against them," he said.
Answering a question, he said: "We will bring the policy to parliament regarding operation Azm-e-Istehkam to achieve objectives of peace, stability and economic activities in Pakistan."
