Operation AZM-E-ISTEHKAM: New reinvigorated and re-energized national counter-terrorism campaign launched

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Islamabad Saturday.

The forum conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign and assessed the internal security situation. The progress on the multi-domain tenets of the National Action Plan was scrutinized, with particular emphasis on identifying shortcomings in the implementation for addressing the same as top priority. The necessity for a comprehensive and reinvigorated counter-terrorism strategy, founded on complete national consensus and system-wide synergy, was underscored.

The meeting was attended by key ministers of the federal cabinet, including the Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Interior Minister, Finance Minister, Law Minister, and Information Minister. Additionally, the Chief Ministers of all provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan, Services Chiefs, and Chief Secretaries of the provinces, along with other senior civilian, military, and Law Enforcement Agencies officers, were present.

The Prime Minister approved a reinvigorated and re-energized national counter-terrorism campaign through the launching of Operation AZM-E-ISTEHKAM, with consensus of all stakeholders including the Provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, symbolizing the national resolve to eradicate extremism and terrorism from the country.

AZM-E-ISTEHKAM will integrate and synergize multiple lines of effort to combat the menaces of extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive and decisive manner.

In the politico-diplomatic domain, efforts will be intensified to curtail the operational space for terrorists through regional cooperation. The renewed and full-blown kinetic efforts of the armed forces will be augmented by full support from all Law Enforcement Agencies, empowered by effective legislation to address legal voids that hinder effective prosecution of terrorism-related cases and award of exemplary punishments to them.

The campaign will be duly complemented by socioeconomic measures aimed at addressing the genuine concerns of the people and creating an environment that discourages extremist tendencies. The information space will be leveraged to promote a unified national narrative in support of the campaign.

The forum reiterated that the fight against extremism and terrorism is Pakistan’s war and is absolutely essential for the nation’s survival and well-being. The forum resolved that no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state without any exception.

The forum also reviewed measures to ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Following the Prime Minister’s approval, new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were issued to relevant departments, which will enhance mechanisms for providing comprehensive security to Chinese citizens in Pakistan.