Azm e Istehkam counterterrorism operation launched by Pakistan also looks quite as an endeavor to fight domestic terrorism and assert the country’s position on the global level. The government justifies the notice as an aggressive counter-terrorism approach that is not gigantic like Zarb e Azb or Rah e Haq but rather a multi-domains, multi-organizations’ action plan to guarantee safety and soundness in the country. The operation has been the 12th large-scale anti-Islamist terrorists’ operation since 2007 as the renewal and intensification of terrorism fighting at the national level. It is a holistic and conclusive solution against extremism and terrorism in the country and includes a multi-dimensional policy along with legislative guarantee to check the smuggling and any deviation in this regard is dealt under the law. The plan should also be understood as an attempt to reinforce the existing networks of intelligence-based operations rather than setting up the new one Moreover, the socioeconomic measures should also be provided to consider the demands of the population and cultivate the environment that is immune to terrorists’ outlooks and actions.
The operation has some unique features: structural foundation, a perceptible involvement of the officials belonging to civil law enforcing agencies, the noticeable presence of a representative from different ministries, party heads, chief secretaries of provinces, heads of sections of army and ISI.
PM Shahbaz has guaranteed that the operation which is being conducted will be conducted only against terrorists and to achieve this there will be no trouble among civilians or raids of their houses. PM Office has also agreed to the view that this operation requires the consensus of all stakeholders. This piece of information has been shared with the federal cabinet and the PM Office has assured PTI of providing it a satisfactory reply to its queries, said Defense Minister Khawaja Asif. The Pakistan People’s Party has also right decided to support the move. In addition, the United States expressed its positive opinion on the idea and had guaranteed the counter-terrorism capacity-building programs and military operations through the State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller.
Weaknesses:
The viability of the initiative remains in flux especially given the violations of disparateness amid the domestic political leadership. The announcement has ignited controversy especially in the circles of PTI, ANP, Jamat e Islami as well as JUI-F. These political parties want the government to explain on result, size and scope of the operation. Further, the Sunni Itehad Council protested and chanted anti-new operation slogans during the session of National Assembly. The Shahbaz government has a rising pressure to attend to the opposition parties’ interest.
Opportunities:
In regard to opportunity management, operation aims at trying to respond to the recent spew of terrorisms in Pakistan to prevent further bloodshed for the citizens, to which the acts of terror have caused destructions, and to improve the economic status of the country vulnerable to terrorism. This operation seems particularly feasible where security forces have faced the aggression from militants wielding superior tools and strategies. Besides, the efforts shall help in halting the smuggling and transportation of money for financing of terrorism as well as enhance the long-term peace and stability. More particularly, stability and security are essential preconditions in revitalising the economic activities in Baluchistan and KP.
Under this operation, Pakistan could launch operations against the terrorists’ havens in the neighboring Afghanistan without being in breach of the international law. The measures outlined by Pakistan include guaranteeing security on the Pakistan-Afghan border, admission of Afghan civilians based on their documents and visas, and the prevention of militants’ infiltration and smuggled merchandise across the border.
The operation will be hugely beneficial to solve security issues and ward off potential attacks on Chinese people in Pakistan. It will be apparent from Operation Azm e Istehkam to solve the issues that Pakistan failed to safeguard the Chinese citizens, assuage China, and lessen Beijing’s discontent with the Pakistani administration. It will be helpful to lure the Chinese investors while at the same time preventing rising unrest among the local population in Pakistan as well.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Mr. Masood Khan, has termed the requirement of specialised small calibre modern weapons and communication equipment from the U.S for outright success of the operation. Khan explained that the given operation has the ideological, operational and societal approach and has called for change of the relations between the U.S and Pakistan with becoming of introducing strict security tie and intelligence sharing to counteract terrorism threats and build up security in the region.
Threats:
The siren by the Shahbaz government arouses the doubt of the motivation and juncture of the launch when intelligence driven counterterrorism operations are being conducted in KPK and Baluchistan. Concerns remain a source of controversy especially to issues to do with the interferences in the tribal regions, casualties of the civilian populations and displacement of populace based on past conducts of the operations.
The leader of the opposition alliance Tehreek e Tahafuz e Aain e Pakistan and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Party, Mahmood Khan Achakzai said that he will raise the affiliation to the operation and will launch an appeal to the ICJ. Asad Qaiser categorically came in the media against the initiative by stating that “tribal people do not want any fight in their areas and if any operation is forced on them they will resist it ” The people of KPK want peace, education and employment. KPK information Advisor to CM & Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has turn his face against the act of terrorism with reference to one province instead of calling it a national calamity.
The allegations that has been leveled by the Human Rights Watch of abuse of civilians and act of disappearance in the KPK and Baluchistan province of the war zones are restricting the country from being abide by the international humanitarian laws and ultimately harms relations with other countries of the world. Furthermore, attempt to begin counter-terrorism options across the border of Pakistan-Afghanistan might increase tension between the two countries.
Those opposing the operation have also been interrogated with regards to their intentions and are being referred to as supporters of terrorism. Mr. Khawaja Asif, defense minister of Pakistan has specifically pinpointed this fact that the political parties are opposing the operation on the political basis while are giving importance to the political motives ahead of the national interests.
Conclusion:
Chinese stakeholders will benefit from the initiative bear some benefits in as much as the domestic and cross-border terrorism will be checked up improving China position economically as a result of seeing security for its infrastructure that has been of major concern. Nevertheless, due to sheer geopolitical objectives, a new counter-terrorism perspective and ‘Azm e Istehkam’ operational strategy, it still faces skepticism and indifference. The undertakings of the Shahbaz government are to an extent predictable and have failed to yield benefit and further cleft the identities of domestic actors. The discussion brought up by this initiative most especially results in a split between those in support of the particular legislation and labeled as the defenders of national interest on one side and those against being viewed as terrorists and using political agendas instead of protecting national security on the other side.
Also, the attitude towards cross-border fighters from Afghanistan is actionable and exposed to danger and retribution. Discussions regarding shifting of populations, deaths of innocents, blunders against human rights and encroachment in tribal regions remain on centre stage; they cause concern about the operation. Domestically, there is a need to increase interaction and understanding between the country’s agencies and its people, support from the population to armed forces. However, protecting the principle of unity at the national level is still a problem today. The absence of public support especially in the terrorism affected area will affect the operation parameters.
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