In a decisive move to combat extremism and terrorism, the federal government of Pakistan has launched a renewed national counter-terrorism campaign named Operation Azm-i-Istehkam. The initiative was approved during a meeting of the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday. The campaign signifies the national resolve to eradicate extremism and terrorism from the country.
The campaign was launched with the consensus of all stakeholders, including the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that Azm-i-Istehkam aims to integrate and synergize multiple efforts to combat extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive and decisive manner.
The 20-point NAP for countering terrorism and extremism was originally devised by the National Counter Terrorism Authority in consultation with stakeholders and was approved by Parliament on December 24, 2014, following the deadly terrorist attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar.
Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorist activities over the past year, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. This escalation followed the end of a ceasefire between the government and the banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in November 2022. According to an annual security report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, 2023 witnessed a six-year high in violence-related fatalities and injuries from terror attacks and counter-terror operations.
During the Central Apex Committee meeting, the forum conducted a thorough review of the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign and assessed the internal security situation. The forum reiterated that combating extremism and terrorism is essential for Pakistan’s survival and well-being. It resolved that no one would be allowed to challenge the state’s authority without exception.
The progress on NAP’s multi-domain tenets was scrutinized, with particular emphasis on addressing implementation shortcomings. The necessity for a comprehensive and reinvigorated counter-terrorism strategy, founded on national consensus and system-wide synergy, was underscored.
In the politico-diplomatic domain, efforts will be intensified to curtail terrorists’ operational space through regional cooperation. Renewed kinetic efforts of the armed forces will be supported by all law enforcement agencies, empowered by effective legislation to address legal voids that hinder the prosecution of terrorism-related cases and the award of exemplary punishments.
The campaign will be complemented by socioeconomic measures aimed at addressing the genuine concerns of the people and creating an environment that discourages extremist tendencies. Additionally, the information space will be leveraged to promote a unified national narrative supporting the campaign.
The forum also reviewed measures to ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Following the prime minister’s approval, new standard operating procedures were issued to relevant departments to enhance security mechanisms for Chinese citizens in the country.
With Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, Pakistan aims to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism and ensuring national security through a unified and comprehensive approach.