ISLAMABAD – The Federal Cabinet on Tuesday approved Rs20 billion for Operation “Azm-e-Istehkam” to fight against terrorism.
The decision followed a prior endorsement from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which also sanctioned the same amount for the operation.
The approval came from the National Apex Committee, which had earlier given its consent for the operation.
The federal cabinet also pledged comprehensive support from the armed forces to bolster counter-terrorism efforts under the operation.
Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the government is open to dialogue with those who uphold the values of Pakistan and its constitution.
However, the prime minister made it clear that no talks would be held with the enemies of the country or the terrorists.
The PM while chairing the federal cabinet meeting also strongly denounced the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and other regions, which resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians and security personnel. He affirmed the commitment of his administration and the Pakistan Armed Forces to eradicate terrorism from the nation.
Prime Minister Sharif underscored that the sacrifices made by both the people and the Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism will not be in vain. He pledged that all necessary resources will be allocated to the military to combat terrorist activities effectively.
He said that the time has come to decisively eliminate terrorism, calling for a steadfast approach towards this goal. Sharif noted that the recent attacks, particularly those in Balochistan, are perpetrated by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan operatives based in Afghanistan.
The government had already raised the issue with Afghan authorities and implemented measures against the perpetrators.
The Prime Minister criticized the terrorist activities in Balochistan, stating that they are intended to incite chaos and undermine the government’s development efforts. He stressed that such actions would not deter the progress of the nation or the ongoing CPEC projects in Balochistan, nor would they affect the strong relationship between Pakistan and China.
Shehbaz Sharif announced his intention to visit Balochistan soon to assess the situation and determine immediate actions.
The Cabinet also offered prayers for the victims of the terrorist incidents.
