PTI continues to oppose 'Azm-e-Istehkam' op, says country can't afford military action

Former ruling party argues military operations would disproportionately impact K-P, Balochistan

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers while maintaining their stance against Operation 'Azm-e-Istehkam,' argued that the country cannot sustain more military operations for stabilisation.

Speaking outside the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday, PTI leaders reiterated their opposition against the newly approved military operation.

They argued that military operations would disproportionately impact Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan.

"Investment isn't coming because there's no rule of law," they claimed, challenging the necessity of military action.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called for immediate justice and the release of former premier Imran Khan and other party members.

He condemned their re-arrests as human rights violations.

"When justice is delayed, it is also injustice," he stated, demanding the PTI chief's immediate release.

Gohar said that the party protested from Parliament all the way to the ECP during today's budget session.

"This isn't just a walk of 180 parliamentarians, but of 30 million voters," Gohar maintained.

"Our protest will continue until all our members are freed," he affirmed.

"Any decision must be brought to the house. This country cannot afford any operation for stability. Stability requires rightful representation in the assembly," he said declaring the party's firm stance against the operation.

The lawmakers highlighted that PTI conducted three intra-party elections in the last 18 months, contrasting with other parties.

"We will not accept double standards in this country," they said.

On June 23, PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) declared their refusal to support any military operation, demanding that military leadership take Parliament into confidence first.

The development came a day after the Apex Committee of National Action Plan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved “Operation Azm-e-Istehkam” to eliminate terrorism and extremism across the country.

The meeting, held in Islamabad on June 22, included key federal cabinet members such as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Interior Minister, Finance Minister, Law Minister, and Information Minister.