PM Shehbaz to 'convene APC to address concerns over Operation Azm-e-Istehkam'

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to organize an all-parties conference (APC) to build political consensus for the newly launched Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, aimed at eradicating terrorism from Pakistan. Currently in Astana, Kazakhstan, representing Pakistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) global summits, the premier is set to return tonight around 2am, as reported by sources to Geo News.

Upon his return, PM Shehbaz will consult to finalize the date for the APC, focusing on the revitalized national counter-terrorism strategy in response to the recent surge in terrorist attacks. The date for the conference will be announced after these consultations.

The federal cabinet recently approved the launch of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a counter-terrorism initiative aimed at combating militants targeting Pakistan, following recommendations from the National Action Plan's Central Apex Committee. This decision was made with consensus from all stakeholders, including provinces, Gilgit Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Despite this consensus, opposition parties such as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F), and Awami National Party (ANP) have expressed concerns, insisting that parliament must be involved before any significant decisions are made regarding the military operation. In response, the Prime Minister Office (PMO) clarified that no large-scale military operation is being planned. The PMO emphasized that Azm-e-Istehkam is not comparable to previous kinetic operations like Zarb-e-Azab and Rah-e-Najaat, which involved dislodging terrorists from no-go areas and required mass displacement of local populations.

The federal government further clarified that the capacity for large-scale organized terrorist operations within Pakistan has been significantly diminished due to earlier kinetic operations, and no such no-go areas currently exist in the country.

This operation comes at a time when Pakistan has seen a six-year high in fatalities from terrorist attacks and counter-terror operations, with nearly 1,000 deaths reported in the last year, according to the Centre for Research and Security Studies' (CRSS) Annual Security Report. There has been an increase in attacks on security forces, with militants using advanced weaponry and equipment.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the interim Afghan government to prevent the use of its territory by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups to launch attacks against Pakistan. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview with Voice of America (VoA), stated that Pakistan might target terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan as part of the new anti-terrorism operation. He also assured that the government would address any concerns from political parties, bring the issue to the assembly, and work to build trust among its members.