The federal government has given the green light to Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, a revitalized national counter-terrorism campaign aiming to stamp out extremism and terrorism from the country. The decision was made during a meeting of the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP), where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided.
The campaign, approved with the consensus of all stakeholders, is set to integrate and coordinate multiple efforts to combat extremism and terrorism comprehensively and decisively. This strategic move comes as part of a 20-point NAP developed in response to a deadly terrorist attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar.
The recent surge in terror activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, has prompted the government to take stronger action. The official press release highlighted that the fight against extremism and terrorism is crucial for the nation’s survival and that no one will be allowed to challenge the state’s authority.
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The meeting critically reviewed the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign and emphasized the need for a comprehensive, unified approach to counter-terrorism strategy. The strategy will involve heightened politico-diplomatic efforts, strengthened armed forces, enhanced support from law enforcement agencies, and legislative measures to address legal gaps that hinder effective prosecution of terrorism-related cases.
Moreover, the comprehensive approach will also encompass socio-economic measures to address genuine concerns and discourage extremist tendencies. The government aims to promote a unified national narrative in support of the campaign and ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that combating terrorism requires a whole-of-government approach and expressed the collective responsibility of all state institutions in this endeavour. He urged provinces to step up their efforts in combating terrorism and emphasized the need for a consensus-driven, multi-pronged approach involving political and religious leadership, public awareness, and law enforcement strengthening.
