Interior Minister confirms Azm-e-Istehkam Operation is on hold

Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi on Thursday stated that the Azm-e-Istehkam operation has neither commenced nor has there been any discussion of operations in specific areas.

He clarified that there was a miscommunication with the media regarding the Azm-e-Istehkam operation, which is part of six points of the National Action Plan (NAP).

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the interior minister provided a briefing during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior chaired by Senator Faisal Rahman on Thursday. The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Interior, IG FC, and Rangers officials.

Mohsin Naqvi emphasised that the discussion was about the implementation of NAP, not about operations in any specific areas. He also pointed out that prosecution falls under the mandate and authority of the provinces.

He highlighted that law and order control primarily lies with the provinces, which cannot be ignored. The Ministry of Interior oversees targeted operations and border security.

The interior minister mentioned ongoing operations in Punjab and Sindh with support from Rangers, and significant improvements in the security of the Main Super Highway.

Naqvi attributed the current terrorism to agreements made by the previous government with the Taliban, which led to the release of terrorists from prisons and the subsequent resurgence of terrorism. 

The minister noted the formation of groups of 15-20 terrorists and emphasised that ongoing operations are making progress.

In the meeting, Senator Naseema Ehsan criticised the police officers' priorities, valuing their meetings over human lives.

Senator Saifullah Abro lamented the lack of security even for senators, citing unsolved murder cases involving journalists and a doctor in Sindh. 

He said Dr Ali Bakht was killed in Sindh in 2023, a police inspector was involved in the murder and has not been arrested yet; journalist Nasrullah was killed in Ghotki; and the killers were not caught.

Senator Samina Zehri expressed frustration over repeated bombings and the lack of serious responses from IGs. She highlighted the inadequate handling of various cases, including the Noor Mukadam case.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui stressed the need for punishments to prevent ongoing terrorism and asked the Interior Minister for clarity on the Azm-e-Istehkam operation's status.

Naqvi assured that the accused in the Noor Mukadam case had been sentenced and that efforts to address smuggling with the help of the ANF would continue.

He said President Asif Ali Zardari went to Sukkur, and it was decided in the meeting that the local police officers would be removed from the division.

Regarding the killings of journalists, he said that the Ministry of Interior would provide follow-up reports to the senate committee.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani