By Our Correspondent June 25, 2024
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers have reiterated their opposition to Operation 'Azm-e-Istehkam,' asserting that the country cannot sustain further military interventions aimed at stabilization.
Speaking outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday, PTI leaders voiced their concerns over the newly sanctioned military operation, arguing that it would disproportionately affect Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan.
"Investment isn't coming because there's no rule of law," they stated, 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, condemning their re-arrests as human rights violations.
"When justice is delayed, it is also injustice," he asserted, demanding the PTI chief's immediate release. Gohar emphasized that the party's protest, which spanned from Parliament to the ECP during the budget session, represents not just the 180 parliamentarians but also the 30 million voters.
"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 declared, reiterating the party's firm stance against the operation.
The PTI lawmakers highlighted their commitment to intra-party democracy, noting that they have conducted three intra-party elections in the last 18 months, a contrast to other parties. "We will not accept double standards in this country," they said.
On June 23, PTI, along with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), declared their refusal to support any military operation, insisting that military leadership should take Parliament into confidence first.
This development follows the June 22 meeting of the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which approved “Operation Azm-e-Istehkam” to eradicate terrorism and extremism nationwide. The meeting in Islamabad 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.
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