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, which aims to eradicate terrorism in the country.
Currently in Astana, Kazakhstan, representing Pakistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summits, PM Shehbaz is expected to return home tonight around 2am after concluding his official visit, sources informed Geo News.
Upon his return, PM Shehbaz will consult with various stakeholders to finalize the date for the APC, which will focus on the revitalized national counter-terrorism strategy in response to the recent increase in terrorist activities. The date for the APC will be announced after these consultations, sources added.
Last week, the federal cabinet approved the launch of the counter-terrorism operation following recommendations from the National Action Plan’s Central Apex Committee to intensify efforts against militants targeting Pakistan.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated that the new counter-terrorism initiative received unanimous approval from all stakeholders, including provinces, Gilgit Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
However, opposition parties such as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F), and Awami National Party (ANP) have expressed concerns about the military operation, insisting that parliament should be consulted before any significant decisions are made.
Addressing the criticism, the PMO clarified that no large-scale military operation is being initiated. The PMO’s statement on June 24 emphasized that the vision for lasting stability, Azm-e-Istehkam, is being misunderstood and incorrectly compared to previous kinetic operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Rah-e-Nijat.
The PMO explained that earlier kinetic operations aimed to physically remove terrorists from their strongholds, which had become no-go areas and threatened state authority. These operations necessitated the mass displacement of local populations and systematic clearance of affected regions.
The federal government also noted that there are currently no such no-go areas in the country, as previous operations significantly weakened the capacity of terrorist groups to conduct large-scale organized activities within Pakistan.
