ISLAMABAD: On Sunday, two members of the treasury benches criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for allegedly opposing the newly approved counterterrorism campaign, Operation Azm-i-Istehkam. PTI has called for involving Parliament in the decision-making process.
During a National Assembly session, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated, “We do not want to take any step that can be targeted under the guise of political interests. If they have any objections, then God-willing, when that issue will be put before this House, they can also speak on it.” The session was convened to debate the budget.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the launch of Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, a reinvigorated national counterterrorism campaign, in response to a surge in terrorist attacks. According to a statement from the Central Apex Committee on National Action Plan (NAP) in Islamabad, “Azm-i-Istehkam will integrate and synergize multiple lines of effort to combat the menaces of extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive and decisive manner.”
The operation received approval from all stakeholders, including provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A high-ranking Chinese official visiting Pakistan earlier in the week emphasized security as a major challenge to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) future. “Security threats are the main hazards to CPEC cooperation,” Liu Jianchao noted.
However, PTI argued that Parliament should be consulted before initiating any intelligence-based or full-fledged operations. The opposition called for an in-camera briefing from the military leadership, as done in the past, to detail the situation.
During Asif’s speech, PTI MNAs chanted “military operation unacceptable” and staged a walkout, later returning after persuasion by government members. Asif reminded PTI that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, from PTI, was present at the apex committee meeting. He accused the opposition of siding with terrorists and protesting against the Pakistan Army’s sacrifices in counterterrorism efforts.
PTI’s Gohar Khan insisted that no apex committee can override Parliament, emphasizing the supremacy of the House. He demanded an in-camera briefing to the House before any action was taken.
The session also saw debates on the budget, with PPP leader Mahesh Malani criticizing it as an “IMF-dictated budget.” JUI-F member Shahida Akhtar expressed concerns over privileges granted to independent power producers and demanded their audit. MQM-P’s Aminul Haq highlighted the budget’s focus on interest payments and called for an agricultural tax on wheat sales. PPP’s Khursheed Shah stressed the need to address population growth for a more effective budget, arguing that the current budget would worsen the public’s difficulties.
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