After the operation

Even since the government announced a new intelligence-based operation against terrorism: Azm-e-Istehkam, the common refrain from those opposing the operations has been that such operations have never succeeded in the past. This statement is not entirely correct. Past operations have been quite successful in curtailing militancy. It is the follow-up to these operations that was arguably not as successful.

Our civilian organizations were not ready for the surge in internal IDPS and their proper and timely rehabilitation. Similarly, they did not have the capacity to lower extremism and radicalization. Before starting Azm-e-Istehkam, our government has to ensure that our civilian authorities are capable enough to successfully carry out the post-kinetic part of

the operation. This will be no easy task.

Akbar Jan Marwat

Islamabad