After PTI, ANP also opposes ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ operation

Mian Iftikhar criticises operation, questioning how 40,000 terrorists infiltrated country

The Awami National Party (ANP) voiced on Monday its opposition to the Azm-e-Istehkam, declaring the operation unacceptable under any circumstances.

Yesterday, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) also declared their refusal to support any military operation, demanding that military leadership take Parliament into confidence first.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Faisal Karim Kundi visited the ANP's Bacha Khan Center in Peshawar, where he met with the party's top leadership to discuss security and political matters.

During a media briefing, ANP leader Mian Iftikhar stated that the roots of terrorism lie in Punjab, expressing serious reservations about the decision to launch Operation Istehkam Pakistan.

Read Parliament to debate Operation Azm-e-Istehkam

Mian emphasized that the ANP has conveyed its concerns to the governor.

He criticized the operation as a unilateral decision, noting a lack of trust in both negotiations and military actions among the people. He questioned whose directive General Faiz initiated negotiations and how 40,000 terrorists infiltrated the country.

Following this, Iftikhar called for both national and provincial assemblies to be taken into confidence regarding the operation.

The ANP leader announced that the party would convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to discuss Operation Istehkam Pakistan in detail.

Opposing the operation yesterday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar emphasised, "Any military operation must involve parliamentary consent. Parliament is supreme under the Constitution."

Asad Qaiser declared, "We cannot endorse any military operation without parliamentary involvement. Significant decisions are being made without consulting the opposition."