New Delhi, July 23 (HS). The strong hold of the army in Pakistan and its political jugalbandi with the power establishment has once again come to the surface. The Government of Pakistan has approved the army to deal with a renewed active and anti-terrorism campaign through Operation Azm-e-Istehkam in several provinces including Gilgit-Baltistan. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) is openly opposing this. The army has also opened a front against PTI. Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi late on Monday, Pakistan Army spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, without naming PTI, said that organized political mafias are spreading misinformation about a new anti-terrorism operation 'Azam-e-Istehkam' launched with the aim of eliminating terrorists and economic development.
In fact, PTI of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is in Pakistan's jail, has strongly opposed Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. PTI said that any military intervention in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be strongly opposed. During a high-level meeting held in Islamabad, many leaders including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gundapur, PTI President Barrister Gauhar Ali Khan and Asad Qaiser assessed the circumstances arising out of the government's Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. Party members have expressed solidarity that if any military action is taken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in any way, then PTI will oppose it. The dissatisfaction against Operation Azm-e-Istehkam was also reiterated by other political organizations. PTI leaders said that Operation Azm-e-Istehkam can increase the vulnerabilities of Pakistan instead of strengthening its security.
After being recognized as the largest party in the Parliament of Pakistan, this opposition of PTI has posed a challenge to the army and the government. After this, Army spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said that a huge illegal political mafia has emerged to fail Azm-e-Istehkam and the first step of that mafia is to make the campaign controversial through false and fake arguments. Regarding Azm-e-Istehkam, he said that it is not a military operation but an anti-terrorism initiative aimed at promoting economic development and stability.
Hindustan News / Jitendra Tiwari / Mukund
