Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif clarified that the upcoming counterterrorism campaign ‘Vision Azm-i-Istehkam’ will focus on intensifying ongoing intelligence-based operations (IBOs) rather than launching a new large-scale military offensive. The aim is to decisively root out terrorists, crime, and violent extremism from the country. The campaign will not involve mass displacement of the local population.
After opposition parties raised concerns, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif assured that their reservations would be addressed. The proposed campaign will involve intelligence-based operations and aims to address the rising wave of terrorism in the country.
The decision to launch Azm-i-Istehkam follows a meeting of the Central Apex Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. While past military operations like Zarb-i-Azb and Raddul Fasaad achieved tactical successes, they did not fully eradicate militancy. The clarification from the PM’s Office aims to dispel misconceptions about the nature of the campaign.
The campaign is considered crucial to ensuring the security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It is part of a series of counterterrorism efforts by the Pakistan Army in recent years. The government plans to present the campaign before the federal cabinet and the National Assembly for discussion and approval.\
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