Prime Minister Approves Revival of Operation Azm-e-Istahkam in Apex Committee Meeting

The forum reaffirmed that the fight against extremism and terrorism is Pakistan’s own battle, crucial for the nation’s survival and welfare.

Islamabad – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the reactivation of the national campaign “Operation Azm-e-Istahkam” during a key session of the National Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. The announcement was made in an official statement following the meeting.

Chaired by the Prime Minister, the session included significant federal cabinet ministers, chief ministers from all provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan, service chiefs, provincial chief secretaries, and officials from law enforcement agencies.

The committee conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing anti-terrorism campaign and assessed the progress on the multi-domain principles of the National Action Plan. Emphasis was placed on identifying shortcomings to address them as a priority, along with the necessity for a robust and unified anti-terrorism strategy.

Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the need for a renewed national campaign under Operation Azm-e-Istahkam, symbolizing the nation’s commitment to eradicating extremism and terrorism. The operation will work on multiple fronts to address threats, with full support to the armed forces’ renewed and vigorous efforts. The campaign will also ensure exemplary penalties in terrorism-related cases.

The statement highlighted that the operation will be complemented by socio-economic measures, aiming to address genuine concerns of the people and foster an environment discouraging extremist tendencies. A united national narrative supporting the campaign will be promoted.

The forum reaffirmed that the fight against extremism and terrorism is Pakistan’s own battle, crucial for the nation’s survival and welfare. It was decided that no one would be allowed to challenge the state’s authority without facing consequences.

Security measures for Chinese nationals in Pakistan were also reviewed. Following the Prime Minister’s approval, new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued to enhance the comprehensive security framework for Chinese citizens in the country.

Read More: PM Shehbaz Sharif Slashes Industrial Electricity Rates by Rs10.69 per Unit

This follows an important review meeting between Pakistan and China last month, where Prime Minister Sharif pledged foolproof security for Chinese nationals, and a detailed security plan was formulated. The Prime Minister reiterated this commitment after his visit to China earlier this month, emphasizing that security was a top priority during the discussions.

This move comes in response to a tragic incident in March in Shangla district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a suicide bomber attacked a vehicle, resulting in the deaths of five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver. Since then, extraordinary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Pakistan.