JUI-F chief opposes ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ operation

F.P. Report

QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly opposing the newly announced operation Azm-e-Istehkam has said that it will further destabilize and weaken the country.

While addressing a press conference here on Monday, the chief of his own faction said that it was rather operation “Adm-e-Istehkam” aimed to weaken the basis of Pakistan further. Stressing on equality of all citizens under the same national identity, Maulana Fazlur Rehman asserted, “Our history is about fighting against slavery. Did we achieve Pakistan to be the slaves?”

He regretted that the state had almost no writ in the country, adding that the armed militant groups were carrying out operations in areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The JUI-F chief also castigated the ‘one-sided decision’ for launching another operation, asserting: “What is the Apex Committee? Democracy and Parliament have lost their case”.

Emphasizing the need for a new approach to ensure Pakistan’s stability and security, he also expressed concern over the growing divide between the people and the state and said that the government was treating its citizens as enemies.

Fazl announced that his party will launch a movement for the protection of Pakistan, which he said is facing internal and external threats. He also called for unity among political parties, saying they should put aside their differences and work together for the country’s survival. The presser came after a meeting of the Central Apex Committee of National Action Plan, which was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“The prime minister approved a reinvigorated and re-energised nati­o­nal counterterrorism campaign thro­ugh the launching of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, with the consensus of all stakeholders including the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, symbolising the national resolve to eradicate extremism and terrorism from the country,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement issued after the meeting.