Political Consensus and the effectiveness of Operation Azm-i-Istehkam

The Government of Pakistan has decided to launch another military operation- Operation Azm-i-Istehkam to curb the increasing roles of insurgents and militants in the various parts of the state. Apex Committee, headed by the Prime Minister, accompanied by all the Chief Ministers and the heads of armed forces and police, on Saturday, 22nd June, expressed the inevitability of an operation, as the security vulnerabilities are jeopardizing the economic activities of the state. It has also been highlighted by the Chinese authorities that the increasing attacks on Chinese engineers and workers are endangering the pursuit of Chinese investments particularly, CPEC in Pakistan.

The reservations shown by the opposition, regarding the prudence of the operation have made the situation more complex. The opposition parties have already made an alliance, TTAP — the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan few months ago envisioning to revive democracy and constitutional supremacy coupled with the negation of any sort of military operations in Balochistan and KPK. Leaders of the opposition parties including Pakistan Tahreek Insaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party have increased their political engagements to abate the government from the military operations, believing that such actions will injure the state further, both internally and externally.

Amidst of all these political and security turmoil, if the Federal Government kicks off its ambitions as highlighted by the Prime Minister, it will have a far-reaching repercussions on the political and security dynamics of the state.

The root of deteriorating security situation is akin to political crises which is, unfortunately exacerbating with every passing day. Chinese authorities have also rightly expressed their concerns about the political instability- an eminent threat for their investment in Pakistan. Amidst of all these political and security turmoil, if the Federal Government kicks off its ambitions as highlighted by the Prime Minister, it will have a far-reaching repercussions on the political and security dynamics of the state. It seems quite evident that the security agencies will face myriad challenges if they carry out another operation in KPK and Baluchistan, as the major stake holders of these regions are against the operation.

Since 9/11, three major military operations have already been launched, and every time it has said that the backbone of terrorists has been broken down. After months or a year, however, these non-state actors regrouped themselves and started to strike against the state, without any fear, proving that the claims of state seem to be falsified.  The key reasons behind the failure of prior operations is the lack of political consensus, and it can be anticipated, the fate of Operation Azm-i-Istehkam is not something different.

The panacea for the looming security distrust is in the development of political stability, by giving full authority to the true representatives of the people the right to decide the policies and regulations of the state. State institutions need to stick with their own duties as tailored in the constitution of Pakistan along with fostering an amicable working relationship among each other. Lastly, focusing on human security by making economy, education, health, and social development as the priority of the state for the long and durable appeasement as emulated in the National Action Plan and the National Security Policy, furnished by the former Governments of Pakistan by taking all the stake holders on board.