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OPINION JULY 12, 2024 | The Indian Eye 12

ongoing anti-terror action, especially
in FATA. In both cases, the trigger
points for state action were clear. In
the case of Operation Azm-i-Isteh-
kam, the timing of the announcement
and the nature of the campaign need
deeper analysis. Four problematic ar-
eas can be highlighted in this context.
A Chinese trigger - Notwith-
standing the overall deteriorating
security situation in Pakistan, the
Shehbaz Sharif government had no
urgent reason or trigger point to
launch Operation Azm-i-Istehkam.
Yet, one pressure point is visible:
China. The growing resentment and
protests against Chinese projects and
interests in Balochistan, especially in
Gwadar, have been clear. But direct
attacks targeting Chinese nationals
are taken as a breaking point for the
all-weather friendship between Pa-
kistan and China. The most recent
incident was the 26 March 2024 sui-
cide bombing that killed five Chinese
people near the Dasu hydropower The growing resentment and protests against Chinese projects and interests in Balochistan, especially in Gwadar, have been clear (File photo)
project in KP. Not only did China sug-
gest that Pakistan must take action,
but it has more than once officially “award of exemplary punishments” the Chief Minister of KP, Ali Amin from repeating such a strike. Now
said how it must do so, by “hunting to terrorists. On the other hand, it Gandapur, had participated in the that Azm-i-Istehkam seeks regional
down the perpetrators” and giving is meant to be “duly complemented discussion on the operation. This cooperation in fighting terrorism and
“severe punishments.” In addition to by socioeconomic measures aimed at was denied by Mr Ali, who stated therefore hints at tactical cross-bor-
a clear message in this regard from addressing genuine concerns of the that nothing about the operation was der attacks, including within Afghan-
the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan people and creating an environment discussed. When the Pakistan PMO istan and Iran, Pakistan’s ties with
in April 2024, the Joint Statement by that discourages extremist tenden- statement was released, it read that its Western neighbours are expected
Pakistan and China published in June cies”. In general, there is much crit- “complete national consensus and to go through more troubled times.
2024 also specifies the severity of the icism about the collateral displace- system-wide synergy” are the founda- Meanwhile, Pakistan has sought
recent attack, reflecting on Chinese ments and impact on ordinary lives in tions of such an anti-terror measure. “small arms and modern equipment”
anger over the inability of Pakistan to areas where a full-swing kinetic oper- Unlike in 2014, when consensus was from the US.
defend China’s projects and its peo- ation is put in place. It is perhaps this eventually reached, to implement the
ple. Interestingly, Liu Jianchao, head reason that made Islamabad decide 20-point NAP (despite initial protests, Conclusion
of the International Department of to emphasise the softer aspects of especially by Pakistan Tehreek-e-In-
China’s ruling Communist Party, had the operation. The confusion, how- saf), the opposition seems to be grow- espite the various military
also expressed grave concern over ever, is due to a later statement from ing in this case. Within the Parliament operations that Pakistan has
the security situation in Pakistan, a the Pakistani PMO clarifying that itself, no clear consensus can be seen. Dundertaken to deal with ter-
day before the Sharif government Azm-i-Istehkam is not a large-scale PTI, Jamat Ulema-e-Islam Fazlur rorism, nothing substantial has been
announced the operation. It is not kinetic military operation. The state- (JUI-F), Awami National Party gained in this regard. On the contrary,
a surprise that the official statement ment read that because Pakistan had (ANP) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) have Pakistan managed to abet terrorism
by Pakistan’s PMO also notes that been “decisively degraded by earlier openly opposed the government’s for decades in the name of fighting it.
Operation Azm-i-Istehkam looks to kinetic operations … no large-scale decision on the operation. Street pro- As a result, the rise of terror groups
“ensure full-proof security for Chi- military operation is being contem- tests, jirgas and rallies were also held and militancy has become a major
nese nationals in Pakistan.” As such, plated where displacement of popu- in many parts of KP, reportedly also security problem for Islamabad. In
it becomes quite clear that it is Chi- lation will be required.” This makes opposing the operation in particular. April 2023, Shehbaz Sharif, as PM,
nese pressure that has made Pakistan it clear that the Sharif government is Therefore, with a weak and faltering announced plans for an anti-terror
announce an anti-terror measure. only toying with an anti-terror oper- start to Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, it operation, which never materialised.
Pakistan’s aim is focused on placat- ation with a very sketchy approach. is unlikely that Pakistan will achieve There are many reasons to believe
ing China rather than taking genuine anything through it. that Operation Azm-i-Istehkam will
anti-terror measures. Growing opposition External factors - Besides the be no more than just yet another op-
Confusing nature - Operation China angle, there is fear that Oper- eration launched in Pakistan.
Azm-i-Istehkam, which in Urdu peration Azm-i-Istehkam ation Azm-i-Istehkam may escalate
means “resolve for stability,” as un- was reportedly announced af- Pakistan’s tensions with the Taliban Dr Shrabana Barua is a Research
derstood initially, had two compo- Oter a consensus was reached regime, with whom it has already Associate at Indian Council of World
nents. On the one hand, it was to be at a high-level meeting of the Central soured relations. On 8 March 2024, Affairs, New Delhi
“renewed and full-blown kinetic ef- Apex Committee on the NAP in June cross-border strikes against TTP
forts of the armed forces” with “full 2024. All stakeholders were present hideouts in Afghanistan led to fur- This article first appeared in the View-
support from all law enforcement at the meeting. In the Dosra Rukh ther tensions between Kabul and Is- point section of the website (www.icwa.
agencies, empowered by effective Programme of Dawn, Defence Min- lamabad. Further, Islamabad contin- in) of Indian Council of World Affairs,
legislation” that would also aim for ister Khwaja Asif also claimed that ues to state that it will not shy away New Delhi, on July 9, 2024

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