Weak civilian response to terror spurs ‘op’

ISLAMABAD:

As the government has launched Operation Azm-e-Pakistan, rebranded as “Vision Azm-e-Istehkam”, a recent study has found that the civilian response to terrorism is weak and the process of punishing the accused through the anti-terrorism courts is slow.

An official report obtained by Express News highlighted the ongoing infiltration from Afghanistan and continued investment in terrorist activities by India.

The recent revelations have underscored the emergence of a nexus between terrorism and religious extremism in the country.

It said that the civilian response to terrorism was weak and the process of punishing the accused through the anti-terrorism courts was slow. In response to these challenges, Operation Azm-e-Istehkam has been launched, aiming to eliminate terrorists and armed groups.

The report noted that the Apex Committee and the cabinet had given the nod to Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.

It highlighted that to perpetuate unrest, extremism and lawlessness in the country, terrorists, extremist religious organizations, Iranian oil smugglers, drug dealers, criminals and land, fertilizer and other mafias had formed a nexus.

The report stated that this criminal network was spreading violence in the country and opposed digitalization and law enforcement to ensure that the state remains a haven for smuggling, extremism, and terrorism.

It stated that every time the Government of Pakistan attempts to eliminate terrorism, these mafias become a hindrance. It added that the urea, tobacco, and fertilizer mafias bribe extremist organizations, human rights bodies, and some media outlets to malign the army.

The report maintained that infiltration from Afghanistan is ongoing, and funds are being invested in social media campaigns from India.

Referring to the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, marking the end of 20-year war, the report noted that the US had left behind $8.5 billion arms in the war-torn country terming, it “very dangerous”.

It further observed that the same mafia, with interests in smuggling, was backing those staging a sit-in in Chaman.

Several individuals continue to protest in Chaman against the government’s decision to allow those with valid passports and visas to cross the Chaman border crossing. Earlier, Pakistanis and Afghans would cross the border upon showing their respective identity cards.

The report mentioned that Balochistan’s separatist organizations and religious terrorist outfits wanted to fight the army.

It added that while there were no no-go areas in Pakistan, the situation was dire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where the conviction rate by anti-terrorism courts was low. It noted that there are 605 terrorism cases pending in the courts. “When a judge or police officer performs their duties effectively, these individuals resort to kidnapping them.”

The report highlighted that since September 2023, the police and Rangers have conducted 134 joint operations in the Katcha area of Sindh, recovering heavy weapons and arresting 300 individuals, which has led to a 60 per cent reduction in the crime rate.

The report expressed satisfaction over the situation in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, noting that while conditions in Punjab improved, crime persisted in some areas.

It further recalled the Dasu attack which occurred in March this year, claiming the lives of five Chinese nationals and a Pakistani after a suicide attacker rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into their convoy near Besham city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The report noted that Besham is part of the Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It underscored that 1,063 incidents of terrorism occurred in 2024. During this period, 22,714 intelligence-based operations were conducted, averaging 126 operations per day. A total of 111 personnel of the army and FC have been martyred, while 354 terrorists have been killed.

The report stated that operations are currently ongoing at 41 locations in Balochistan, noting that other countries do not exhibit such a robust response against terrorism. It was emphasized that as long as terrorism persists, there will be no improvement in the economy or the investment environment.

It was further noted that the revised National Internal Security plan was introduced on August 15, 2021, during then premier Imran Khan’s administration, outlining 14 key points. The objective of this plan was to prevent the extremists from flourishing.

According to the points outlined, all institutions, including the army, were to be registered, madaris were supposed to adopt a uniform syllabus, but this did not materialize.

According to the 14-point plan, a single policy was to be developed for print, electronic, and social media, along with cyber networks. Additionally, the plan aimed to formulate new laws, facilitate the return of Afghan refugees, reform the criminal justice system, and coordinate anti-terrorist operations at political and diplomatic levels.

The report maintained that while the army and security agencies continued their work and make sacrifices, there has been a notable lack of response from the civilian side. In light to this, Operation Azm-e-Istehkam has been launched.

It was observed that while the Pakistan Army continues to eliminate terrorist groups, efforts will also be made to strengthen the anti-terrorism courts, adding that the army remains determined to rid Pakistan of the scourge of terrorism.

Quoting the example of US, the report stated that America spent $3 trillion in Afghanistan, but it failed, noting that no one pointed fingers. The report regretted that it had become a habit for some people to blame their security agencies.

It underscored that this war was not for China, Saudi Arabia, or any other nation but it was about “our survival”, adding that extremism and terrorism present grave threats to the national security. “The situation has grown increasingly complex and continues to deteriorate.”

The report suggested that the situation in Waziristan should have improved as the army had overseen resettlement efforts there, launched tree planting and garden initiatives whereas the provinces had given Rs415 billion and Centre Rs110 billion for the region.

It was noted that after a few months of efforts, the volume of smuggled oil from Iran decreased from 11 million liters to 6 million liters. “This daily trade is valued at billions of rupees. There are ongoing efforts by mafias to reopen the sealed border with Afghanistan.”