The federal apex committee of the National Action Plan has approved a comprehensive military operation against active terrorist organisations in Balochistan.
According to the communiqué on Tuesday, the operation would target terrorist organisations operating in Balochistan including the banned outfits “Majeed Brigade, BLA, BLF and BRAS who are targeting innocent civilians and foreign nationals to scuttle Pakistan’s economic progress by creating insecurity at the behest of hostile external powers.”
Pakistan has seen an increase in militancy since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021, with the Pakistani chapter of the movement carrying out attacks mostly targeting security forces.
In the recent past, terrorists have attacked civilians and Chinese nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Karachi.
Last week, seven security personnel were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists who attempted to attack a security forces’ post in the general area Shah-e-Mardan of the Kalat district in Balochistan.
Earlier this month, a suicide attack near the Quetta Railway Station killed at least 27 people and injured more than 50 people.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over the committee’s meeting. Federal cabinet members, provincial chief ministers, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and senior government officials attended the meeting.
The agenda of the meeting focused on the ‘Reinvigorating Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Campaign’. Officials briefed participants on the evolving security landscape and the measures being taken to counter terrorism and other critical challenges, including general law and order situation, actions against efforts to stoke sub-nationalism, religious extremism, tackling the illegal spectrum and crime-terror nexus, subversion and disinformation campaigns, among other issues.
The committee highlighted the necessity of a “unified political voice and a cohesive national narrative to effectively address” such multifaceted challenges.
It was emphasised that political support across party lines and complete national consensus are “critical” to reinvigorating the national counter-terrorism campaign under the framework of ‘Vision Azm-e-Istehkam’.
They also agreed on NACTA’s revitalisation and the National and Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre’s establishment.
“A whole-of-system approach was adopted, incorporating diplomatic, political, informational, intelligence, socio-economic, and military efforts to address these issues comprehensively,” it added.
Specific emphasis was placed on strengthening collaboration between federal and provincial governments and between relevant institutions and ministries to ensure seamless execution of the CT campaign.
It was decided to establish district coordination committees under the provincial apex committees to ensure the implementation of directions received from federal and provincial governments.
The forum demonstrated political resolve to dismantle the ecosystem of illegal spectrum and crime-terror nexus.
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At the meeting, COAS Munir reiterated the Pakistan Army’s “unwavering” resolve to eliminate all threats to national security and provide “robust” support to the government’s initiatives aimed at ensuring peace and stability.
PM Shehbaz directed all stakeholders to pursue the outlined initiatives with vigor, ensuring their timely implementation. He underscored the importance of sustained, coordinated efforts to protect the country’s sovereignty, ensure the safety of its citizens, and reinforce economic and social stability.
