Raddul Fasaad continues to serve as a lifeline: experts

Marred by innumerable challenges, including terrorism, the country received a lifeline shortly after the launch of Operation Raddul Fasaad (RuF).

Initiated on Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s watch, the nationwide military operation, analysts say, has achieved several goals since 2017.  “This ongoing operation has reduced terrorism and restored peace across the country. That has had a significant impact on the economy and overall situation in Pakistan,” said defence analyst, Lieutenant General (retd) Amjad Shoaib.  Now in its fifth year, the broad-ranging operation, the expert said, has successfully eliminated innumerable domestic and foreign threats to the nation.  “The elimination of terrorism has restored confidence in Pakistan, investors want to do business once again, and above all our citizens have safer cities,” he explained.

Data gathered by The Express Tribune shows that over the past five years – particularly since the onset of the military operation, more than 1,200 extremists have been caught, more than 78 terrorist organizations and leading terrorists have been eliminated, an innumerable terror plans have been preempted. Commenting on the daunting operation, General Shoaib said: “Given the regional situation, and the involvement of several foreign countries in sponsoring terrorism, I don’t see a timeline for the end of this operation. It will continue for some time.”

Under a comprehensive operation that is being executed by the military, Pakistan secured its western front with fencing and the construction of border forts. “The fencing of the border is another daunting task that was completed by the military to prevent terrorism. However, it does not provide complete or absolute security,” said another senior defence analyst.  In a bid to curb terrorist activities, more than 40,000 police and 20,000 security officials have been trained by the military since 2017. Similarly, many of the captured terrorists were tried under Military Courts. 

With peace restored and the cities safer, the country recorded higher number of tourists.  As of 2020, official figures show tourism in the country has increased by more than 300% since 2017. A senior travel consultant described the increase in tourism as a dividend of peace. 

Military leadership

When asked to evaluate the current military leaderships performance against the heavy odds, Lieutenant General (retd) Amjad Shoaib said: “General Bajwa, through the operation, has managed to restore peace. It has been a success. However, the political challenges remain.  As an army chief he has had to deal with a very unstable political leadership and that is a significant challenge.”   “As an army chief, General Bajwa has had to walk a very tight rope.”

Threats from India

Over the past five years, particularly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reelection, New Delhi has been increasingly aggressive in its narrative against Pakistan. The Indian government, directly and indirectly, has sponsored a media campaign to malign Pakistan’s reputation and project it as a failed state before the western audience.  In 2019, the Modi government was caught by surprise when Pakistan responded to the failed attempts by Indian jets to enter its airspace.  One of its jets was downed and its pilot, the infamous Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured.  When asked how the entire situation was handled, Lieutenant General (retd) Amjad Shoaib said: “Pakistan acted like a responsible state. Its action and reaction were both measured and impactful.”

To a question about Pakistan’s ability to prevent Indian misadventures, the senior defence analyst said: “The Pakistan armed forced have sent a clear message not once but on several occasions. On February 27, 2019, the world witnessed how Pakistan reacted even in the face of Indian rhetoric.” India, he said, has been kept in its place.

Reko Diq project

Suspended since 2011, the Reko Diq project in southwestern Pakistan, which is said have one of the world's largest gold and copper deposits, sources familiar with the development confirmed was revived with the help of military’s efforts in dispute resolution.  One senior official confirmed that Pakistan would have been heavily penalized had the issue with Barrick Gold and Chile's Antofagasta not resolved under the out-of-court deal.

Once completed, the project will offer economic returns of $65 billion over a period of three decades.  Not only that, the project, he explained, will add more than 8,000 jobs directly, and more then 12,000 indirectly to the economy. An independent expert who was contacted to comment on the deal said it offered better benefits for Pakistan than the one negotiated in 2010. “The deal is more transparent than before. Its ratification comes from Federal and Provincial Parliaments and scrutiny by the Apex Court.  In addition, the newly brokered deal, he said, allows Pakistan to avail the first right to buy back. “Not only does it have the buyback option, it also provides and supports domestic requirements of copper. 

Commenting on the significance of the deal, another senior analyst pointed that the move would unlock the mineral potentials of Balochistan and the country in the future.