North Waziristan operation under consideration: Malik

E-Paper | May 02, 2026

Interior Minister Rehman Malik.—APP (File Photo)

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday said that the government was considering a military operation in the tribal badlands of North Waziristan, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at the Karachi Airport, the interior minister said that the tribal region of North Waziristan agency is the hub of terrorists. Malik said that the entire nation was united against the “Zaliman”, an Urdu term meaning “oppressors” which he used to describe Taliban militants.

Rehman Malik said that the terrorists had not just attacked 14-year-old schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai, but had attacked the entire nation. He added that the government and military leadership will decide whether there is a need for an operation in North Waziristan.

Malik claimed that they were receiving intelligence reports from North Waziristan on daily basis. Adding that he said that they had reports which said there were terrorist hideouts in the area.

A meeting has been summoned in the General Headquarter (GHQ) Rawalpindi in which Corps Commander Peshawar would give briefing over the security situation of North Waziristan.

Briefing would also be given to the parliament’s standing committee over defence within a few days, sources said.

The interior minister’s comments come in the shadow of the assassination attempt on Tuesday by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants on the life of young schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai, who belongs to Swat. Two other girls were also injured in the shooting while Yousufzai, who was shot in the head, is currently on a ventilator.

Doctors say the next 48 hours will be critical for the young girl's health. The shooting has drawn condemnation from world leaders and many Pakistanis.

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FAIR

Oct 13, 2012 12:40am

He is still considering? How many more decades would it take ?

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rider

Oct 12, 2012 03:35pm

Pakistan = International migrane

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Malik

Oct 12, 2012 09:09pm

politicians and army are afraid of talibans.

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Danish

Oct 13, 2012 02:28pm

No.

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Said So

Oct 13, 2012 01:19pm

Well said. Blessed are you.

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Mike

Oct 12, 2012 03:56pm

I'm waiting for Rehman Malik's conspiracy theory...

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Sahira

Oct 12, 2012 03:57pm

It is unnecessary to invade NWA because Good Taliban operate up there and not bad Taliban (TTP). We need to look for them somewhere else.

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naeem

Oct 12, 2012 04:16pm

Rehman Malick should lead the march of the Army into North Waziristan. He is always talks the talk and now should lead the talk. However I bet that this little coward will never out his life in danger..

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alileo12

Oct 12, 2012 04:12pm

This can be a turning point where Parliament and Army can work together for stronger and peaceful Pakistan.

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rakesh

Oct 12, 2012 04:13pm

Perhaps , Mr. Malik is giving signal to terrorist to escape before army starts....!!!!!

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Mala

Oct 12, 2012 02:20pm

Please dont consider. Go ahead. We are sick and tred of the animals attaching the civilized people. Time to give them the taste of their own medicine.

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saurabh

Oct 13, 2012 02:33pm

Pakistan can not do operation in waziristan. Accept it.

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Mohdudul Huq

Oct 13, 2012 01:28am

All extremist religious organizations should be banned in Pakistan's soil.

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S.S.VERMA

Oct 13, 2012 01:28am

The answer to your question of Pakistan being a civilized state is in the question itself.

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Sameer

Oct 13, 2012 05:52am

Pakistan Army is one of the best Army in the world. They should take this matter seriously and halt a operation with full force along with the air force and try to control such areas as soon as possible. I think not its enough.

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kkjsakjf

Oct 12, 2012 05:05pm

something that you wanted to do your neighbours is huring your own children. leave the path of hatred and start living a peaceful life

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Cyrus Howell

Oct 12, 2012 09:16pm

Because Waziristan is not really Pakistan. They will take your money, but they do not accept your government. In addition these people are offered no (permanent) protection. When the army leaves the Taliban return to threaten and extort the people.

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Midas

Oct 12, 2012 06:18pm

you are announcing this, so they can run away?

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MSAlvi

Oct 12, 2012 06:44pm

Is Pakistan on the list of civilized countries? No. Think about the so-to-speak leaders. Can any one be considered civilized? No. So, that's where you stand.

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Mujahid

Oct 12, 2012 06:47pm

Better late than never.... do it NOW !!!!!!!!!!

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Neer Nayan

Oct 12, 2012 08:05pm

Do it, man! Yet make sure that no innocent gets engulfed in such a big take. And that requires a real excellence in devising strategies, keeping humanity intact !

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Yasir H. Sheikh

Oct 12, 2012 02:41pm

So the cat is out of the bag! All the events taking place look like a plot now.

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Shahid Masud

Oct 12, 2012 09:43pm

Still considering, shame on you

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Jamil

Oct 13, 2012 02:17am

How should Pakistan Armed forces act : The way Sri Lanka wiped out Tamil Tigers, they way drug mafia in China, Italy and Mexico wiped out. We should learn from others. The more you prolong, the dire consequences will emerge. Sooner the better. Whoever condemn the operation, should equally be regarded as terrorist. It is time to draw a line among good, bad and ugly.

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Tyler

Oct 13, 2012 02:33am

Some sense has come atleast in the rhetoric. Remains to be seen whether ISI & Hamid Gul types would let this translate into action against terrorists. Hope they don't again dilute the nation's resolve with naive arguments like Good vs Bad Taliban, Strategic asset against India etc.

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dawood

Oct 13, 2012 05:18am

attack on us inner and outer are due to dualistic policy of not only pakisani leaders but also from molvies. they all r corrupt.

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Practical

Oct 12, 2012 09:45pm

Where is Imran Khan's statement of army going into North Waziristan. Maybe he will join the people from North Wazirista?

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innohunter

Oct 13, 2012 06:45am

Very very bad idea

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Ihtesham

Oct 12, 2012 06:00pm

Say NO to North Waziristan operation. Say NO to US conspiracy of using Malala. Say NO to drone attacks which killed hundreds of Malalas.

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Mobeen Ahmad

Oct 12, 2012 08:18pm

It should have been decided long ago. Final operation in North Waziristan , South Waziristan and Southern Punjab is the need of the time. Let us not wait to lose 40,000 more men, women and children

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True Indian

Oct 13, 2012 02:05am

What I can make out of it is that, Pakistan had to do the North Waziristan operation under US pressure sooner or later...so I think this is all planned by the US and Pakistani government so as to gain public acceptance of the North Waziristan operation...Just a moth back Pakistan Govet and defence were opposing NW operation and now they are giving statements that they too are considering NW operation seriously and this time with public consent...

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Alik

Oct 12, 2012 08:45pm

They will continue considering it till such time that the militants inform them that they have (temporarily) moved out and its safe to conduct an operation.

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kashifencounter

Oct 12, 2012 08:29pm

Malala Yousufzai - I am really grieve by the cowardly attack on innocent girl, and strongly condemned. However, I do not understand, why the media is exaggerating this news at top with regard to Malala, a 14 year old girl. Media is expressing exasperation upon this happening in particular. Why not media is showing others girls regularly, who sustained bullet injuries. A media is a double edge weapon based on yellow journalism. Why not the media expose and transpire others numerous naive and adolescent children and people who are attacked regularly and brutally killed by callous Taliban. Why not media express infuriating on drone attacks conducted by USA, countless innocent people have been died. Why not media and others government (every representative) cogitate and focus on the case of Dr.Aafia (Daughter of Pakistan). There are so many Malala's died everyday by attack of Taliban, but there is something fishing going on with respect to this news, I believe!. Many days have been past and there is only one headline of the day everyday. Malala - I again pray for her recuperation. But, what about others innocents girls, people, women, men, child, infants, just think about it. International media is playing a huge game with us, they are Correlating Muslims with the term Taliban, Terrorist, and want to denigrate and humiliate Muslims. Conversely, the present pivotal issues of country is being diverted by the government. I guess. Think judiciously!

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Syed rizvi

Oct 12, 2012 03:19pm

The operation in waziristan is the need of the day,but ensure that the common people there must not suffer.

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murad hossain

Oct 12, 2012 05:06pm

good decision

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M. Asghar

Oct 12, 2012 03:32pm

To get rid off extemism, first, one has to get of this empty-talk-shop Malik and act ruthlessly against the extetemists whoever they are and whereever they are, without any delay, because the stakes for the country are becoming really critica.l

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Indusonian

Oct 12, 2012 05:34pm

Mr. Syed, the point is that this government is in the process of laying a case for UN that Pakistan is a unstable country and have no control over it's nuclear arsenal.

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Malik

Oct 12, 2012 04:43pm

its sad there are two people who disliked your comment

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Khalid Latif

Oct 12, 2012 04:43pm

The lawlessness all around Pakistan is a political game; one way or the other. Who will then, take control when the leaders themselves are a part of all that is happenening?

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ssshah

Oct 12, 2012 02:52pm

They are not taking long but they are waiting for the right time and I think that time is yet to come .. don't forget other consequences.

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arslan

Oct 12, 2012 04:25pm

because there areso many who are against the military operation in north waziristan

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Radiq

Oct 12, 2012 03:30pm

He is informing them about operation, so they will run across boarder to Afghanistan or he is just making fool of people or wants themt to be calm that Govt is going to take action. This is another false statement. No hope.

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Just Asking

Oct 12, 2012 02:22pm

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Pyarali Khoja

Oct 12, 2012 03:49pm

Mr Malik, please let military do their job. You have tendency to make comments in each and every area.

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Syed

Oct 12, 2012 03:03pm

He is talking the language of outsiders. Army says that it is the terrorists in South and not in the north waziristan

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Murtuza

Oct 12, 2012 03:06pm

Government should act on eliminating Taliban and all other extremist without any hesistation. These extremist are monsters and savages. They have done a great harm to Pakistan.

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Kris

Oct 12, 2012 03:43pm

Is government and military mixed with these devils. Malik talks double triple. He said we will see if there is need? What? are you blind?

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imran

Oct 12, 2012 03:56pm

The entire nation is united against jokers like rehman malik. its people like him that have caused such harm to the country. We need a true patriotic leadership that puts the interest of Pakistan first rather than taking part in corruption day and night.

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Riz

Oct 12, 2012 03:20pm

Take ownership, show leadership.......get rid of Talibans and the Mullahs.....

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Syed

Oct 12, 2012 02:40pm

Why is it taking Pakistan govt or Military so long to get a control of their own border, city & town? Lawlessness should not be tolerated in civilized countries. If Pakistan consider itself part of civilized country.

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fahad

Oct 12, 2012 05:52pm

No operration it will be a disater for our army

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janaan

Oct 12, 2012 02:41pm

it is still not too late.

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Hadi Sakey

Oct 12, 2012 04:30pm

If Rehman Malik is saying something take it for granted. He is jack of all trades - Interior Minister, Foreign minister, Defense Minister.

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