Governor Kundi calls for cabinet meetings on Operation Azm-i-Istehkam to be held in terrorism hotzones across KP

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday suggested that the federal government hold meetings on counterterrorism with the KP assembly in terrorism hotzones across the province instead of Islamabad.

The federal government on Saturday approved a reinvigorated and re-energised national counter-terrorism campaign, Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, that symbolised the national resolve to eradicate extremism and terrorism from the country.

The campaign was launched with the consensus of all stakeholders, including the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, during a meeting of the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“Azm-i-Istehkam will integrate and synergise multiple lines of effort to combat the menaces of extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive and decisive manner,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a press release.

However, in a parliament session marred by ruckus on Sunday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticised the opposition for not supporting the newly announced counterterrorism operation as the latter demanded that Parliament be taken into confidence before any offensive against militancy was launched.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament House in Islamabad today, PTI MNA Gohar Khan said, “It is our demand […] that if there is any operation — whether intelligence-based or full-fledged or in certain districts or villages or tehsils — it is necessary to take this Parliament into confidence.”

He made the remarks while the National Assembly was in session, saying that the opposition wanted to speak on a point of order that the “military leadership, as has been done in the past, give an in-camera briefing and detail the situation”.

However, he alleged, that lawmakers from his party were denied the chance to speak and therefore staged a walkout in protest.

Talking to reporters, KP Governor Kundi said Operation Azm-i-Istehkam was launched following meetings between the federal government and all stakeholders, including the provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. “They have all committed and we stand with them and the federal government,” Kundi said.

He noted that despite opposition lawmakers not being in favour, KP Chief Minister and PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur stood with the decision to launch the operation. “He did not walk out, nor did he give any negative statements afterwards,” Kundi said.

Regarding meetings on security and law and order, Kundi said, “I suggested that the KP assembly members be taken into confidence. I also suggested that special meetings be held with the federal cabinet and apex committee, where there are briefings on law and order.

“Moreover, these meetings should be held in places where terrorism is rampant, as opposed to an air-conditioned room in Islamabad. Have meetings in Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat and elsewhere in KP,” he said.

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