ISLAMABAD: After finalizing its strategy regarding Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government has decided to launch a national dialogue to eliminate terrorism and extremism in the country, sources said.
PM Shehbaz, sources added, took the cabinet members into confidence about the scope of the new anti-terror operation and the reason behind launching the new anti-terror operation.
Last month, the federal cabinet approved the decisions taken by the central apex committee of the National Action Plan, including the launch of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.
Sources said the security forces have handed over the areas cleared of terrorists to the provincial governments.
In response, the Center claimed that “no large-scale military operation is underway in the country” that could lead to mass evictions, and assured that the matter would be taken up in Parliament.
PM Shehbaz also decided to convene the All Parties Conference (APC) to reach a consensus on the operation with PTI founder Imran Khan supporting the initiative and said his party would attend the meeting hosted by the government.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military also condemned undue criticism of the newly launched anti-terror operation, saying the “vision” was deliberately misrepresented for “vested interests”.
The Army’s media wing said the new operation aims to use national counter-terrorism efforts in a synchronized manner to eliminate the nexus of terrorism and illegal spectrum in the country for lasting stability and economic prosperity.
Pakistan has seen a significant increase in terrorist attacks in recent months, claiming dozens of lives for both civilians and security forces.
Pakistan has again called on the Taliban-led Afghan administration to prevent its soil from being used by various terrorist organizations against Pakistan, a claim denied by Kabul.
