ISLAMABAD. Moments after Pakistan announced the launch of a comprehensive operation in North Waziristan, political parties and analysts weighed in on the repercussions of the move.
Money for operation: PTI MNA
“Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was not aware of this. We were not informed that a wide scale operation will be launched in North Waziristan,” PTI MNA Dr Arif Alvi said, adding that this is a ‘money for operation’ exchange.
He added that his party has always maintained that an operation of this scale will result in a large influx of refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where his party forms government. “The government should have told us so we could have prepared for this.”
He criticised the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) for what he said was a move to appease the US government which has linked aid to an operation of this nature.
“The PML-N government did not tell the public and the opposition why the talks failed. We do not know about the dimension of this operation.”
He also said that groups such as the Haqqani network have no war with Pakistan and are being isolated without reason. “Does the government want to burn all cards for the incoming government in Afghanistan?” He suggested that there should be a surgical and precise operation as a large scale strike would result in the death of innocents.
Refugees will be facilitated - Defence Minister
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, while talking to a news channel, said the nation stands by its army. “The decision was taken after the strategy of dialogue failed. The operation will continue until it reaches its logical conclusion. Any group that challenges Pakistan’s constitution, attacks civilians, soldiers, and government installations and uses Pakistani territory to plan terrorist attacks will be targeted,” he said.
He added that IDPs will be facilitated by the federal as well as KP governments. “We will try to ensure that the displaced do not have to stay away from their homes for too long.”
What has KP done - Analyst
Defence analyst Rasul Baksh Rais asked what the KP government has done to stop terrosists from entering their province. “These terrorists kill civilians in cities. What should be done with terrorists them then?” he said in response to Dr Arif Alvi.
The time for talks is over – retd general
Retired Major General Jamshed Ayaz lauded the move as a “very good decision”.
“It came slightly late. But better late than never. Pakistan has suffered a big loss – and Pakistan comes first. They have made a correct decision to launch this. The time for talks is over.”
Commendable decision: MQM
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Senator Babr Ghauri speaking to a news channel said, “This is a commendable decision by the government. We have been repeatedly telling the current government that instead of engaging the terrorists in dialogue, government should act against these elements. Karachi has a number of terrorists and it might suffer from a blow back; this should be tackled so Karachi does not have to suffer on account of this.”
Should have told Plmt: ANP
Awami National Party member Zahid Khan,”We also held a dialogue previously (during our govt) but that did not produce effective results. We wanted peace and we were okay if that came through dialogue but unfortunately that could not happen. This time, knowing from our experience, we had cautioned the government that dialogue approach would not work. Government should have taken the parliament into confidence before launching the operation but it didn't.”