Announcing his government’s resolve that Pakistan would no longer be a terrorists’ haven, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday declared that Operation Zarb-e-Azb has been launched after a unanimous decision by the political and military leaderships and it would continue until terrorism was eliminated from the country.
Making separate statements in the National Assembly and Senate about the military operation, the premier called on the entire nation, including political parties and the media, to stand by the Pakistan Army.
Addressing the lawmakers a day after the military announced the launch of a long-anticipated operation, the premier said, “We will not allow Pakistan to become a haven for terrorism at any cost.”
IT WAS THE LAST OPTION:
Prime Minister Sharif said the government sincerely gave peace a chance for four and a half months but its sincerity was not reciprocated and the government had to take the decision to launch the operation as a last resort.
Sharif pointed out that the government made every effort to make dialogue process result-oriented but terrorists persisted with bloodshed and violence. “Terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand,” he said.
IT WAS A MUTUAL DECISION:
The premier said the dialogue process was pursued with full consultation between the government and the military leadership and now the decision to launch the decisive action has also been taken through consultations and unanimity.
Showing his determination for establishment of peace in the country, the prime minister expressed confidence that the operation to eliminate terrorism would prove to be a harbinger of peace and security. “This will help us realise our dream of turning Pakistan into a prosperous country.”
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH:
Moreover, the prime minister said that Pakistan has paid a heavy price in terms of men and material during war on terror imposed by militants.
“Personnel of armed forces, security agencies and law enforcement agencies rendered immense sacrifices while the economy suffered losses worth $103 billion. Terrorism also dented Pakistan’s prestige and reputation.”
“There could have been two opinions on operation and the dialogue process but now this chapter is closed and the entire nation, including media, political parties, religious leaders and tribal people should extend a helping hand to make the operation a success,” the premier asserted, adding that he hoped that clerics would also play their role in promoting the Islamic values of peace, brotherhood and tolerance.
Sharif also appealed the “patriotic” tribal people to play their role in making the operation a success. He said tribesmen have paid a heavy price to terrorism and it was time to eliminate the menace so that they could lead a normal life.
SPECIAL CENTRES FOR THE ‘GOOD ONES’:
Furthermore, the prime minister said that special centres have been established for those who abandon terrorism, bow before law and want to become peaceful citizens of the country. He added that special centres have also been setup for those affected by the operation.
Member of the federal cabinet General (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch will oversee the process and coordinate efforts of the federal and the provincial government for looking after the internally displaced persons (IDPs), he said, hoping that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government would extend necessary cooperation in this regard. He said instructions have also been issued to KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan Abbasi to ensure every possible arrangement to facilitate IDPs.
KHAN STILL PROPOSES TALKS:
Addressing the National Assembly after Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan expressed his stance on the issue saying that he stood by the armed forces as terrorism was inflicting heavy losses to the country.
Khan, however, wanted to know what would be the fate of those who were willing to abandon violence and those who were being internally displaced. “Have we thought about 7,000, 000 people residing in North Waziristan? Where will they go during the bombing?” he questioned.
The PTI chief maintained that the government should negotiate with groups who were still willing for a peaceful settlement.
“In my opinion, the prime minister should have headed the dialogue process himself. Now that an operation has been announced, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will suffer the backlash,” Khan pointed out.
Khan also questioned why his party was not taken into confidence prior to the announcement of the operation and said they learnt of the news through the TV. He demanded that the prime minister should convene a meeting of the political leadership to discuss the way forward.
DECISION DELAYED:
National Assembly Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah commented on the advent of the military operation, saying that this decision should have been taken six months ago.
Shah said the opposition fully supported the decision and extended cooperation to the government and the armed forces.
Also, MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar described the operation’s launch as a “sagacious decision” and said that not only the parliament but the four provincial assemblies and governments should extend support to the government and the armed forces to make the operation a success.
THANK YOU KHAN BUT IT’S SORTED:
Later on in a brief chat with journalists after his address in the two houses of parliament, Prime Minister Sharif said that by supporting the operation, all the political parties have expressed their “national thinking”.
Sharif also thanked Imran Khan for supporting the government’s decision on this national issue. He said he would take the media into confidence soon on the new policy against terrorism.
