Is PTI Leadership Divided on Operation Azm-e-Nau Decision?

The Apex Committee was called to a meeting on June 22nd, chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, to discuss stepping up counterterrorism efforts. There have been apparent differences amongst PTI central leaders since the decision.

On June 22, all the chief ministers, including the Army Chief and Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, as well as all the inspector generals, were present at the Apex Committee meeting on the National Action Plan, which was presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Is PTI Leadership Divided on Operation Azm-e-Nau Decision?

The decision to bolster counterterrorism activities was endorsed by the prime minister following discussions with all relevant parties. However, the PTI voiced objection as soon as the decision was made. Sunni Ittehad Council members demonstrated against the decision in the National Assembly on Sunday.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan told the reporters outside the National Assembly that decisions about operations should be made with the consent of Parliament. Conversely, Asad Qaiser expressed opposition to the operation, saying that PTI would be against any operation. He continued, "Our province's people have already suffered a lot and cannot bear any more."

Was the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa not consulted about Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad?

Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur attended the meeting despite being the province's executive, according to Barrister Doctor Saif, a spokesman for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, who spoke to Urdu News. However, the federal government has not yet released a clear statement about the operation. He said, "No details have been provided about where this operation will take place and what the procedure will be." False words purportedly made by the Chief Minister are making the rounds.

Is PTI divided on the matter of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad?

Barrister Doctor Saif, the Information Minister, claims that "there are no differences within PTI." We also agree with the stance taken by other leaders who are not members of the National Assembly. Additionally, we would like this issue to be debated in the Assembly prior to the operation so that the elected officials may be trusted."

He said they will move forward with the next measures in accordance with their meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Senior journalist Shumaim Shahid states, "The PTI is divided inside. How could the Chief Minister be on the Apex Committee and not know what was on the agenda? It appears that the Chief Minister changed her position during the meeting and is making new public statements. Confusion has been brought forth by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur himself."

"Even the government's policy is unclear," said Shumaim Shahid. Barrister Saif is requesting information regarding the operation from the federal government; instead, they ought to speak with the Chief Minister, who was present for the meeting's decision-making and was informed of the agenda. Ali Amin has superior knowledge to provide."

According to reporter Shumaim Shahid, "Apart from the National Assembly, there are also severe disagreements among PTI's core committee members, as evidenced recently by the speeches of Shahriar Afridi and Shehryar Afridi."

Is PTI Leadership Divided on Operation Azm-e-Nau Decision?

What will be the scope of the operation?

"So far, it is unclear where and against which group the operation will be conducted because there are many militant organisations active in Pakistan," senior journalist Mushtaq Yusufzai told Urdu News. Prior to this, the exchequer had to pay the highest expenditures for over a dozen operations. Choosing to begin a new counterterrorism operation could lead to a number of concerns."

"What have been the results of previous operations?" he asked. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also fed up with fighting and suffering; they have endured a great deal of suffering for little gain."


Mushtaq Yusufzai emphasised, "In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's tribal and southern districts, security forces are already conducting operations on a regular basis. There are also continuing actions based on intelligence."

"They want to bring this topic to the Assembly to learn where and against whom the operation is being done," he stressed, "There are no internal issues within PTI. Moreover, the government appears unable to make a decision because its policies are still ambiguous."

However, on June 24, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur told the reporters outside of Adiala, saying, "The Apex Committee discussed matters related to peace and security, and policy was discussed, but no specifics regarding the operation were finalised." The operation is still not entirely clear."