THIS is with reference to the report ‘Pakistan can cross border to hunt TTP: Asif’ (June 28), according to which, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif rejected the possibility of holding a dialogue with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and hinted at parliamentary approval for fresh action under the Operation Azm-i- Istehkam initiative. Such an approach should have been appreciated by all and sundry, but the major opposition party in the country along with some others decided to oppose it.

It has been argued that the public has not been informed about the operation’s method and duration. To add fuel to fire, an opposition member of the National Assembly forcefully opposed the operation on the floor of the house, saying that his party would not allow this operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

It is unfathomable why there has been such opposition to counterterrorism measures that will be intelligence-based and not a full-scale conventional military operation. The initiative is about bringing sustainable peace and stability back in the country. Opposition to this operation will help terrorist outfits in continuing their attacks on security personnel and civilians.

Will those who have been opposing the operation against known terrorist come out with a logical argument and reasoning for creating stumbling blocks in the way of the current government initiative?

Hamid Ali
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024