ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the federal government would ensure to provide satisfactory answers to the concerns of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over a newly announced Azm-e-Istehkam Operation. While addressing journalists during a press conference in Lahore, the Minister said that the proposal for launching the operation would be presented before the federal cabinet today, following which, it will be tabled in the parliament.
He said that they will develop a consensus among the political parties including the allies and opposition. He said that they will give them ample time to discuss this matter. The Minister was of the view whatever their questions or concerns, it will be responded to in a satisfying way.
The government had, last week, announced a fresh anti-militancy operation, promising to utilize the full strength of the country’s resources, including military, diplomatic, and legislative, to turn the heat up on terrorists.
In response, Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F), PTI, Awami National Party (ANP), and others voiced concerns over the new operation, demanding that parliament should be taken into confidence before taking any such decision and that they opposed it.
The federal government has also issued a policy statement over the matter, saying that “no large-scale military operation is being carried out” in the country.
Azm-e-Istehkam is aimed at reviving and re-energizing the current implementation of Revised National Action Plan (NAP), which was initiated following the national consensus across the political spectrum, a statement issued by the Prime Minister Office said.
