Pakistan’s Anti-Terror Campaign ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ Sparks Debate

Islamabad, Pakistan — In a significant move, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has launched Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a renewed national counter-terrorism campaign. While the operation is promoted as a decisive step to eradicate extremism and terrorism, concerns have been raised about its broader implications, particularly its impact on Pakistan’s sovereignty and stability.

The timing of Azm-e-Istehkam, seen as a continuation of the previous Zarb-e-Azb operation, follows a recent high-profile visit to China by PM Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir. During this visit, the security of Chinese nationals and investments in Pakistan, particularly those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), was a key agenda item. This visit was quickly followed by a trip to Pakistan by senior Chinese official Liu Jianchao, emphasizing the need to enhance security for Chinese interests.

China’s concerns are rooted in recent attacks on Chinese installations and personnel in Pakistan, including a deadly assault in March that resulted in the deaths of five Chinese engineers. With $62 billion invested in CPEC, China is keen to protect its investments, even if it means urging Pakistan towards a potentially destabilizing military operation.

While CPEC is often hailed as a transformative project for Pakistan’s economy, there are growing concerns that it is also enabling China to exploit Pakistan’s natural resources, such as gold and uranium mines. Critics argue that this creates a dependency that compromises Pakistan’s long-term economic and strategic interests.

Domestically, the launch of Azm-e-Istehkam has sparked opposition from major political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Awami National Party (ANP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F). These parties have voiced concerns about the lack of parliamentary consultation and the potential for further destabilization. PTI-led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has withheld support for the operation pending clarity on its details and procedures. ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman have both criticized the operation, calling it a destabilizing initiative.

Critics suggest that Pakistan’s economic vulnerability, having narrowly avoided default last year, may be driving it to comply with Chinese demands, potentially at the expense of national interests. The operation also risks escalating tensions with Afghanistan, especially if cross-border strikes against militants in Afghanistan are conducted, which could lead to broader regional conflict.

China’s approach to the Taliban in Afghanistan contrasts with its stance in Pakistan, highlighting a complex web of regional interests. The lack of transparency surrounding Operation Azm-e-Istehkam has further fueled skepticism among the public and political opposition. Despite its significant implications, details about the operation’s duration and methodology remain unclear.

The announcement of Azm-e-Istehkam comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with severe economic challenges, including nearly 1,000 casualties from almost 700 incidents of violence in 2023 alone. The regions most affected by this violence, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, are also key areas for CPEC projects and valuable mineral resources. The decision to launch this operation without proper parliamentary consultation raises serious questions about democratic norms and the balance of power within the country.

Previous military operations have shown that while they may offer short-term gains, they often fail to address the underlying social, economic, and political factors that fuel extremism. Additionally, the potential environmental and social impacts of increased resource extraction activities following the operation could further strain Pakistan’s fragile ecosystems and vulnerable communities.

Operation Azm-e-Istehkam appears to be driven by a mix of national security concerns and the need to protect foreign investments, particularly those from China. As Pakistan embarks on this new military campaign, it must weigh the risks of further instability, political discord, and economic exploitation against the potential benefits of enhanced security.

The international community should monitor these developments closely. The exploitation of a nation’s resources under the guise of development and security operations sets a dangerous precedent. Pakistan’s leadership must ensure that its actions benefit its people and maintain transparency, democratic oversight, and a focus on long-term stability.

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