Centre vows no let-up in K-P terror fight

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Thursday ruled out the possibility of launching any fresh military operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) amid rumours of a fresh full-scale offensive triggered by the worsening law and order situation in the volatile tribal districts of the province.

Chaudhry, however, said that the ongoing counterterrorism actions under the National Action Plan (NAP) would continue unabated. "Let me be clear — NAP operations will not be stopped by anyone, no matter who they are," he said while speaking on the floor of the National Assembly in response to concerns raised by MNAs Asad Qaiser and Shazia Marri.

Chaudhry's statement came on a day the PTI government in K-P strongly opposed the launch of a new military operation in the province, warning that kinetic actions would only worsen the already fragile security situation in the province. The provincial government called for a non-kinetic strategy to eliminate terrorism and restore peace.

Taking a swipe at the PTI, the minister questioned, "Who brought the TTP [Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan] back? Which chief minister said, 'We won't fight or we'll end up like the PPP or the ANP?'"

Commenting on PTI's protest on Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, Chaudhry defended the closure of Parliament House's entry gates, citing security concerns due to Section 144 being in force and the presence of a sizeable rally near D-Chowk. He clarified that the gates were closed to restrict the incoming crowd and not the lawmakers. "No MNA was barred from exiting the premises," he added.

The minister played down the scale of PTI demonstrations on August 5. "In Islamabad, fewer than 100 people turned up and even those were briefly detained. No lawmakers were arrested," he claimed. "In Punjab, out of a population of 130 million, only 94 people were taken into custody. Most protests were symbolic and dispersed within minutes."

He also rejected the PTI's defence of the May 9 riots, saying popularity does not grant immunity from the law. "Those who attacked state properties were not acting in public interest - they did so in pursuit of future election tickets," he alleged. "Now they are facing the consequences. Courts in Punjab and Peshawar are announcing decisions. What more fairness do they want?"

On the issue of the suspension of overland travel for Shia pilgrims via Iran, Chaudhry said that the measure had been taken due to heightened regional tensions in the aftermath of the Israel-Iran conflict. He said the Ministry of Interior was engaged in talks with the protesters and the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) leadership.

"A delegation of pilgrims met ministry officials last Thursday, and further discussions were held recently with MWM leader Raja Nasir Abbas," the minister said, adding that he was willing to visit Karachi to continue negotiations. He added that the Sindh and Balochistan governments were fully on board, while the Sindh governor remained in close contact with the protesters.

The minister further told the lawmakers in the House that the prime minister had instructed the defence minister to ensure facilitation of pilgrims via air travel. "We've increased the number of flights and engaged foreign airlines, including Iranian and Iraqi carriers, to enhance capacity. Talks are also under way to reduce fares," he added.