Friday’s NSC meeting under PM Sharif decided to let the terrorists of various stripes taste swift retribution in an effort to put the fear of God in their hearts.
By Ahmer Kureishi
ISLAMABAD: The authorities in Pakistan Friday made a determination to launch a robust, comprehensive, and swift response to the sundry terrorist groups operating in various parts of the country, Independent Pakistan can report on good authority.
The determination came at a crucial meeting of the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC) here, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Attended by key federal ministers in addition to all three services chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies, took detailed stock of the nation’s economic and law and order situation.
Pakistan has been at the receiving end of increased terrorist activity in both Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants are in particular a worry who plucked up courage earlier this month to plan a suicide attack at the federal capital.
The attack was thwarted after the police intercepted the attacker’s vehicle in Islamabad, who then detonated his deadly payload prematurely, killing a policeman.
Separately, Balochistan’s BLA militants staged a flurry of audacious attack last week targeting the Pakistan army, killing captain and several jawans.
Well-placed sources say the authorities have been alive to this menace, and that the issue featured prominently at a meeting of Pakistan army corps commanders held on December 27 and 28.
In fact, chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir held a meeting with PM Sharif on December 29, the day before the NSC meeting, to share with him the line of action finalised by the commanders to give the terrorists a befitting response.
Another source said the Foreign Office has already intimated the Afghanistan’s interim Taliban government of imminent military action against both the TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), both of whom operate in the border areas and have safe havens in Afghanistan.
The sequence of events clearly means both these terrorist groups may see retribution catch up with them sooner rather than later. A source close to the meeting said the armed forces may swing into action as early as the first week of the New Year.
A tweet posted from the official handle of the Prime Minister’s Office said the country’s economic situation also figured at the meeting.
Terrorist activity was a major spoiler for Pakistan’s economy until 2014, when the country started Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which took until 2017 to militarily defeat the Islamist militants operating in north-western Pakistan.
During the campaign, remnants of the TTP running ahead of Pakistani forces slipped across the border into Afghanistan and found safe harbour their under the Ashraf Ghani government.
The Afghan Taliban, who captured Kabul in August 2021, have continued to allow space to the militants whom they see as their Pakistani comrades in arms.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the meeting on the economic challenges facing the country as well as on the economic strategy adopted and steps undertaken by the government.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar briefed the meeting on the Afghan situation and the interactions of the government with the interim authorities in the neighbouring country.
The meeting voiced a unanimous resolve to not let Pakistan’s national interest come to harm, nor to allow any quarter to undermine Pakistan’s essential national security, and to defend the nation’s core interests of integrity, security, and progress with the requisite courage, fortitude, and tenacity.
The meeting paid glowing tributes to the martyrs of Pakistan’s war on terror. The participants offered commiseration and condolence to their families, and held a prayer session for their eternal peace.
The meeting declared in unambiguous terms that terrorists are the enemies of Pakistan. It said the nation is united on its one narrative against terrorism and terrorists. Those who challenge with Pakistan will receive a vigorous response.
The meeting will continue on Monday, January 2, 2023 and take more decisions in light of any suggestions coming to the fore.
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