Khurram Khan
The government decided to launch a “re-invigorated and re-energised” counterterrorism operation called Azm-e-Istehkam in the huddle of the Apex Committee of National Action Plan on June 23, 2024. The broad contours of the latest operation while recognising the sacrifices rendered by the personnel of armed forces and acknowledging the successes achieved in CT operations that had “no precedence”, assured the security forces of provision of material and resources in the fight against terrorism. The policy decision noted that the fight against terrorism is a holistic effort whereby the federal and provincial governments “as well as all institutions will have to play their role”. It also recognised that the campaign “would be duly complemented by socioeconomic measures aimed at addressing genuine concerns of the people and creating an environment that discouraged extremist tendencies”. Apart from the generality of resolve to fight terrorism the policy iterated specifics regarding ensuring “foolproof security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan” and in line with that decision “new standard operating procedures were issued to the relevant departments with the expectation to provide “comprehensive security to Chinese nationals in Pakistan”.
The announcement of the latest operation in the series of such endeavours undertaken since 2007 was met with disdain by KPK based political elements. PTI, JUI-F, ANP and PTM criticised the new CT initiative citing sufferings of the people of KPK during the previous such operations that resulted in displacement of people of these areas in a large number. The IDPs were left high and dry fending for themselves. In the process their socio-economic situation worsened as a result of uprooting from their hearth and homes.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the USA Masood Khan while speaking at Washington Wilson Center on June 30, 2024 revealed that the operation was already underway with the launch of the first two of the “three elements: doctrinal, societal, and operational”. He emphasised that both Pakistan and the USA should “maintain robust security ties, enhance intelligence cooperation, and resume the sale of modern military platforms”. He pointed out the need to stem the growing tide of terrorism that threatens “regional security interests of the US and its allies.”
The government amidst the growing criticism of the Azm-e-Istehkam announced on July 4, 2024 to convene a multiparty conference (MPC) to allay apprehensions regarding the new operation. PTI responded positively and its incarcerated founder Chairman Imran Khan announced to attend the conference despite having concerns to “hear what the government has to say” while maintaining that the operation would “only lead to further instability”.
The same day the Army top brass brushed aside criticism of the operation by “some quarters” through misrepresentation to “further their vested interests”. The ISPR statement after the Corp Commanders meeting thought it fit to dub critics as indulging in “politically motivated digital terrorism, unleashed by conspirators, duly abetted by their foreign cohorts” to undermine state institutions and cause despondency to the nation through fake news and propaganda. The statement further resolved to thwart nefarious designs of the “enemies of Pakistan” as the Armed Forces along with the nation were alive to such conspiracies. The statement ended with the express desire of the COAS to defeat “all internal and external challenges” by ever ready Armed Forces for the “stability and prosperity of Pakistan”.
The Apex Committee while rightfully paying tributes to the Armed Forces personnel for their sacrifice in the war against terror, overlooked to mention the sacrifices of the police specially of KPK that has borne the brunt of targeting killings by TTP. In Balochistan also police and levies have come under attack. The Apex Committee by not acknowledging the efforts of police and civil administration has discriminated that bodes ill for the united effort needed to defeat terrorism. It turns out that the Armed Forces will lead the operation while ordaining federal, provincial and institutions to play their role. What arrangement it would take has not been spelled out. Would the federal government invoke Article 245 and/or Emergency provisions of the Constitution?
The ISPR statement preempted any move aimed at arriving at national consensus in MPC. Instead of giving due consideration to vehement opposition to the operation especially in KPK, the Army top brass touted it as political gimmickry. Analysing and commenting on the Army’s role in strategy formulation is neither an offence nor an unpatriotic act. Fake news can be countered through full and complete disclosure. Equating criticism to “political digital terrorism” gives rise to apprehensions of muzzling freedom of expression. The “state institution” has employed this genre to undermine its critics and detractors. It is two way traffic as it is said that it is all fair in love and war. While denouncing digital terrorism the statement did not name the foreign cohorts. It could only be speculated about the foreign cohorts whether any country or the expatriate Pakistanis.
The most enlightening statement emanating from government circles was that of our Ambassador in Washington. He went public to urge the USA administration to supply modern small weapons through American intelligentsia needed by Pakistan in CT operations. It seems that the US administration has not acceded to the demand that necessitated the Ambassador to go public with the request. His disclosure that the doctrinal and societal aspects of the operation are already under way was news to Pakistanis. No perceptible change in policy pursued by the state since the mid eighties has been discerned. The (kinetic) operation is continuing unabated in the shape of intelligence based operations.
The specifics in the Apex Committee’s decision is the crux of the reason to launch Azm-e-Istehkam Pakistan to protect the Chinese nationals and drawing up revised SOPs to that effect. The aim of the operation to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals is paramount for the success of CPEC-II. Targeted killings of Chinese involved in mega projects are aimed to jeopardise vital investment from that country. Coordinated efforts should be made to defeat the designs of elements bent upon to derail the Chinese investments.
It must be emphasised that this resolve to defeat terrorists should not be used to settle scores with critics of the government that invariably includes the institutions being its organ. Stifling the voices not sharing the world view of those in power will cloud vision of decision makers. Alternative policy options must be weighed before discarding them with disdain. It has been witnessed time and again that the state could not resist in misusing additional powers to hound political opponents.
The author is former Joint Director General, Intelligence Bureau, Govt. of Pakistan
