Pakistan Approves PKR 60 Billion for Anti-violence Operation

Pakistan has approved an additional PKR 60 billion to fund Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, releasing PKR 20 billion immediately to combat rising violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Human rights groups express concerns over the potential worsening of human rights conditions due to the military operation.

Pakistan on Thursday sanctioned an additional PKR 60 billion for Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, allocating an immediate release of PKR 20 billion to address increasing violence and terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, The Express Tribune reported. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet sanctioned the PKR 20 billion as a special allocation for the ongoing fiscal year 2024-25, according to the Ministry of Finance.

An official from the ministry highlighted that the remaining PKR 40 billion will be disbursed in the latter half of the fiscal year for acquiring advanced military technology. The decision came during an ECC meeting led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad, The Express Tribune reported.

Human rights organizations have previously warned that military operations in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan could exacerbate human rights issues. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recently raised deep concerns about the operation and called for safeguarding citizens' rights amidst notable dissent against the military action. HRCP Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt emphasized the need for balancing political and security concerns and urged for transparent parliamentary deliberation on the operation.

The Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) has strongly criticized 'Operation Azm-e-Istehkam,' describing it as a 'widened terror plan' by the establishment targeting the Baloch and Pashtun communities. The FBM's statement condemned the operation, noting a significant military buildup in Balochistan aimed at protecting Chinese investments and pursuing expansionist goals. The statement underscored the direct involvement of China as a new dimension to these operations.

The FBM further alleged that the largescale military operation seeks to secure Chinese investments in Balochistan, suppressing local opposition from the Baloch and Pashtun communities against foreign exploitation and infrastructure development on their lands without their consent, ANI reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)