WASHINGTON – The United States on Thursday expressed its support for Pakistan’s new initiative, Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, which aims to combat militancy while minimizing the impact on civilian life.
In a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated Washington’s position, highlighting the significance of upholding the rule of law and safeguarding human rights in counterterrorism efforts.
“We support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promotes the rule of law and protection of human rights,” Miller stated.
Miller also noted the ongoing US-Pakistan security collaborations, which include comprehensive counterterrorism capacity-building programs and military engagements.
This operation is launched against a backdrop of increasing terrorist incidents, leading Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to emphasize the priority of intelligence-based operations over large-scale armed confrontations to maintain stability. The US acknowledged the seriousness of Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and the shared interest in regional security.
On Saturday, the Pakistan government approved a renewed and revitalized national counter-terrorism campaign by launching Operation Azm-e-Istehkam with the agreement of all stakeholders, demonstrating a unified national resolve to eliminate extremism and terrorism from the country.
Operation Azm-e-Istehkam was initiated with the consensus of all stakeholders, including the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, during a meeting of the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“Azm-e-Istehkam will integrate and synergize multiple lines of effort to combat the menaces of extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive and decisive manner,” stated a press release from the PM Office Media Wing.
