Pakistan's Controversial 'Operation Azm-i-Istehkam': Addressing National Security Concerns

The Pakistan government, amid criticism from opposition parties, clarifies its newly announced 'Operation Azm-i-Istehkam' is not a large-scale military campaign and will not cause mass displacement. Instead, it will intensify ongoing intelligence-based operations. PM Sharif aims to build consensus on the operation to combat domestic terrorism.

The Pakistan government, facing criticism over a newly announced counter-terrorism operation, has clarified that 'Operation Azm-i-Istehkam' will not be a kinetic large-scale military campaign nor will it entail the mass displacement of people. The government assures that the operation aims to intensify ongoing intelligence-based operations (IBOs) rather than initiate new military offensives, according to Dawn newspaper.

Opposition parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl, and Awami National Party, have expressed concerns, demanding Parliament's involvement before any counter-terrorism offensive. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated that the campaign, part of a broader national vision, will involve multifaceted cooperation across various security agencies and the state system.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif underscored the importance of a united front, calling on all government branches, including the judiciary and media, to support the initiative. The decision follows warnings from a high-ranking Chinese official highlighting security as a paramount challenge to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).