ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Friday that terrorism is being exported from Afghanistan to Pakistan, and asserted Pakistan’s right to respond in kind.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Asif said, “Two days ago, I mentioned that terrorism is being exported from Afghanistan to our land, and there is evidence of terrorist hideouts there.”
He emphasised, “We also have the right to retaliate in defence of our people.”
Asif added, “If both countries want to maintain brotherly relations, nothing could be better.”
Addressing the opposition, Asif urged, “I request Asad Qaiser and the opposition not to politicise this issue; it concerns our blood.”
He continued, “If they choose to side with terrorists, it will be clear that they support terrorism. They have ties with the Taliban and have brought 6,000 members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) here.”
The statement came hours after senior members of the opposition in the National Assembly vehemently condemned the recent statement by Defence Minister Asif in which he “irresponsibly” declared that Pakistan would carry out cross-border strikes in Afghanistan to target terrorists.
The opposition leaders not only condemned the defence minister’s statement but sought an apology from him, saying such reckless rhetoric is not only inflammatory but also endangers the fragile peace and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“Khawaja Asif’s statement has the potential to escalate tensions and spark a wave of terrorism, reversing the efforts made towards regional stability and peace,” Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan said.
“Our focus should be on dialogue and collaboration with our Afghan brothers to combat terrorism, not on threats of unilateral military action,” insisted the opposition leader. PTI chairman Barrister Gohar said that the path to security and prosperity lies in building bridges, not in issuing threats of military aggression.
The meeting of the senior leaders of the opposition and members from ex-FATA and PATA took place in the Opposition Lobby in the National Assembly on Friday. The opposition leaders included PTI’s former NA speaker Asad Qaiser and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, among others.
The Central Apex Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) ad announced on Saturday its plan to launch vision Azm-e-Istehkam to eliminate militant violence in the country amid the opposition parties’ criticism and demand that the matter should have first been discussed in parliament.
Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has clarified that Pakistan will not seek US support in conducting the Operation Azm-e-Istehkam launched to root out the menace of militancy from the country.
In an interview with a US media outlet, he said that the decision to launch a new operation was not made in haste, adding that Pakistan witnessed a significant surge in terrorist incidents. The Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP) last Saturday approved the “Operation Azm-e-Istehkam”, a reinvigorated and re-energised national counter-terrorism drive, to eliminate terrorism from the country.
However, opposition parties including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) opposed the military operation, demanding that parliament must be taken into confidence about the new operation.
Referring to the opposition’s criticism in today’s interview, the defence minister said some political groups and parties are opposing the military operation for political point scoring.
“Political parties’ reservations on Azm-e-Istehkam will be addressed and the [operation] will be discussed in parliament,” he said, adding that the opposition parties would be briefed on details of the operation.
He also said that Azm-e-Ishtehkam is being opposed on “political grounds” as some parties prioritised their political interests over the country.
Moreover, Asif said all All Parties Conference (APC) could be called to evolve consensus on the operation.
The federal minister maintained that terrorism is linked to the country’s economy, saying that the economic condition couldn’t be improved until terrorism is wiped out from the country. “How the foreign investment would come without eliminating terrorism?”
Asif also said that China expressed concerns over Pakistan’s security situation as the former wanted to see its neighbour economically independent.
He added that Pakistan would be China’s first priority if it improves the security situation. The defence minister said that the military operation — Azm-e-Istehkam — was also being conducted given the country’s economic hardships.
Responding to a question, Asif said cross-border elements were operating the banned outfit while some of its cells were working in Pakistani territory, he said.
“Exporting terrorism from Afghanistan soil to our territory is a clear violation of international law. A party is violating the international law and not fulfilling its right as a neighbour.”
Commenting on the expected adverse impacts of another military operation, Asif claimed that Azm-e-Istehkam’s scope would be entirely different from past operations as it would not result in a large-scale displacement of locals. –Agencies
