PESHAWAR: Allies of the ruling federal government coalition as well as other political parties have expressed their opposition to a potential military operation to eliminate militancy.
This came after the National Security Council announced on Friday that it would renew the National Action Plan (NAP) within 15 days to counter terrorism threats and crush militants reportedly coming from Afghanistan.
However, many allies of the government have voiced their concerns about launching a military offensive against militants. They believe that those responsible for bringing back the militants should be brought to justice before any operation.
The National Democratic Movement (NDM) led by MNA Mohsin Dawar has stated that the government has lost public trust, and even if they launch 100 military operations, people will not believe them anymore.
Dawar has also questioned why talks with militants were initiated when the NAP initially did not include space for such negotiations. He has called for a complete shift in the government’s Afghan policy, claiming that the government supports the Afghan Taliban, who in turn support the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Aimal Wali Khan, provincial president of the Awami National Party (ANP), another ally of the government, has also stated that any military operation against militants would face resistance until those responsible for bringing the militants back are brought to justice.
The Jamaat-i-Islami party has also staged a demonstration in the South Waziristan district against the possibility of a military operation. These concerns from government allies show a growing rift within the coalition over the best approach to tackle militancy in the region.
