Defense Minister Khawaja Asif assured on Tuesday that the federal government would address Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s concerns regarding a newly proposed anti-militancy operation.
Speaking to journalists in Lahore, Khawaja Asif mentioned that the operation’s proposal would be presented to the federal cabinet and subsequently to parliament. He emphasized the government’s intention to build consensus among opposition parties and allies, allowing ample time for discussion to address any questions or concerns satisfactorily.
Last week, the government announced a comprehensive counter-terrorism effort, vowing to leverage all national resources, including military, diplomatic, and legislative measures, to intensify pressure on militants. In response, PTI, Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP), and others expressed reservations, insisting that parliament should be consulted before such decisions and expressing opposition to the operation.
In light of the criticism, the federal government clarified that no large-scale military operation was planned, stating that the recently announced strategy for sustainable stability, Azm-e-Istehkam, was being misunderstood and erroneously compared to past kinetic operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Rah-e-Najaat. This clarification came in a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
