United States State Department on Wednesday said that the US supports “Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism” after the federal government of Pakistan approved a new anti-terrorism Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister’s Office clarified that no internal dislocation of people would occur due to this operation as in previous Operations like Zarb-e-Azb and that “only intelligence-based operations would be carried out against terrorists.”
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, when asked about the new operation and the US reaction to its announcement, said: “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.”
“Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks. No country should have to suffer such acts of terror,” he said, adding that the US and Pakistan have a shared interest in combating threats to regional security.
Opposition parties in Pakistan include Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP), and others have voiced concerns over the military operation.
