Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has called for a unified approach among all political stakeholders at the forthcoming All Parties Conference (APC) to decide on Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, the Pakistani government’s proposed ‘anti-militancy’ military campaign.
The Operation Azm-e-Istehkaam aims to counter rising ‘militant violence’ in Pakistan. The operation is expected to center in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to counter the threats posed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch ‘pro-independence’ groups.
However, the announcement was met with criticism from key opposition groups, including Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for bypassing parliamentary debate.
Amidst the backlash, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office issued a statement clarifying that there would be no large-scale military operation without consensus. To address these concerns, the government has scheduled an All Parties Conference to discuss and finalize the approach.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Bhutto-Zardari emphasized, “PPP will try for a consensus and play its role. The decision taken after a consensus will be a better decision.”
Bhutto-Zardari praised Prime Minister Sharif’s initiative to convene the APC and called on all political parties to set aside their differences for the sake of national security. He confirmed that PPP would participate actively in the conference to understand the government’s motives and share its concerns.
Bilawal Bhutto’s call for unity comes after the top brass of Pakistan’s military expressed frustration over the criticism of the proposed operation, asserting that it is crucial for tackling security challenges and boosting investor confidence in Pakistan.
Operation Azm-e-Istehkaam was announced as part of a broader strategy to eliminate ‘extremism’ and ‘terrorism.’ However, the timing, shortly after a visit by a top Chinese official concerned about attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, has raised questions about its objectives.
In the midst of this planning, the Baloch Raj Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), an umbrella group representing various Baloch ‘pro-independence’ factions, has vowed to resist the operation. BRAS spokesperson Baloch Khan condemned the operation as a continuation of what he termed the ‘genocide’ of the Baloch people. He argued that such military actions are a guise for occupation and aggression against Balochistan.
Khan asserted that BRAS and its allies would intensify their defensive efforts, viewing the operation as a threat to their struggle for independence. He accused the Pakistani military of disguising their true intentions under the pretext of countering extremism, suggesting that the operation aims to protect Chinese investments in Balochistan rather than address genuine security concerns.