Raddul Fasaad has approval of all stakeholders

ISLAMABAD: The operation “Raddul Fasaad” has quickly earned universal approval from all stakeholders because of the goals it wants to achieve and in view of the enormous threat posed by terrorists afresh.

It is a positive development as such a direly needed initiative deserved such a remarkable consensus without which the gigantic targets set by the operation were difficult to accomplish. The national agreement was also required when a ruthless enemy is to deal with. 

It was encouraging to note Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement that the decisions to launch nationwide Raddul Fasaad and deployment of Rangers in the Punjab were taken at the Premier House.

This reinforced the widespread view that an exceptional civ-mil harmony and coordination prevails. Due to this heartening scenario, the military campaign is bound to be result-oriented and productive. Additionally, it adds to people’s confidence in the operation and enables them to brace up to counter the hardened foe.

The prime minister’s remark dispelled the impression that the drive has been kicked off by the Pakistan army independently without consulting the government. It gives a lie to the conspiracy theorists and agenda-driven elements, who are always engaged in relentless efforts to create civil-military divide.

The premier’s comment further highlighted that the Raddul Fasaad did not come out of the blue but its announcement by the military to kick-start the campaign followed deep consultations between the top civilian and military leaderships. It was made only after a complete accord.

A couple of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have slammed the government saying that it was the army that disclosed the beginning of Raddul Fasaad as if the executive was not in its favour and that it was the decision of the military imposed on the government. However, they forgot to realize that since this is a military operation, it was to be unfolded by the army and this was the decision taken during high-level discussions. Nawaz Sharif’s comment may dissipate this fallacious view being held by those having tunnel view.

In one aspect, there is a striking difference between the launch of Raddul Fasaad and the initiation of the previous military operation, Zarb-e-Azb. Top level consultations on the earlier campaign were highly publicized and they saw lots of ups and downs. The Raddul Fasaad has been commenced without any hassle and without much ado at any level. The Zarb-e-Azb, which undoubtedly produced phenomenal results, smashing terrorists and their networks, is now part of Raddul Fasaad.

Although discussions were confined to the senior civilian and military leaderships on introducing the present campaign, every parliamentary and political party has fully endorsed it, which shows commendable maturity. This is how political forces are required to react to a national cause.

Everyone shares the prime minister’s view that terrorists and extremists would be wiped out from Pakistan root and branch; the cowardly attacks cannot shake the national resolve against terrorists; the recent wave of terror is the handiwork of remnants of terrorists with their backbone having been broken to attract the attention; the war against terrorism would continue till elimination of last terrorist from the face of Pakistan’s soil; and Pakistan’s enemies could not digest the unprecedented development and for this reason were striking soft targets.

A rare unanimity also prevails on comprehensive involvement of Rangers in taking on terrorists in Punjab, a demand that was being made since long by the detractors of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to implement their own agenda – damaging the ruling party. They may not achieve this target but the majority province will hopefully be cleared of terrorists and extremists, playing havoc with Pakistan.

It was also Nawaz Sharif, who first decided that the Rangers should be called in Punjab. Subsequently, the provincial government had to endorse it. The paramilitary force’s drive is also part of Raddul Fasaad, which means that it is the all-encompassing operation including all campaigns against terrorists by different agencies.

Every stakeholder including those who are physically engaged in carrying out Raddul Fasaad realizes that its most important element is blocking of infiltration of terrorists from Afghanistan and stopping terrorist attacks from sanctuaries in that country.

Unless this source of terror will be completely plugged or decimated, estimation about success will have to be reviewed. It is reassuring that the Pakistani forces have hit terrorists’ safe havens inside Afghanistan. This is the last resort for Pakistan when the Afghan government is not at all willing to drive the terrorists out of its soil, take on them or hand them over to Pakistan.

It has repeatedly stated by the top civilian and military leaderships that the sanctuaries of terrorists, who are engaged in terrorism in Pakistan, will be hit wherever they are. Afghanistan is yet to receive Pakistan’s message in its true spirit and has instead showered accusations on Islamabad.