ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s envoy to the United States, Ambassador Masood Khan, highlighted the need for small arms and other sophisticated equipment at an annual conference in Washington focusing on his country this week, as authorities in Islamabad announced plans to launch a comprehensive operation against militant outfits.
Pakistan’s top national security forum said last week it was going to launch Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, or Resolute Stability, amid growing concerns over militant violence and its negative implications for the government’s attempt to put the national economy back on track.
Pakistani officials have expressed concerns in the past over an armed network, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), using American military equipment which was left behind in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of international forces in 2021.
These concerns specifically mentioned advanced items like automatic assault rifles and night vision devices, which significantly enhance the capabilities of these groups and pose security challenges to civilians and security forces in Pakistan.
The government asserts TTP leaders have taken sanctuary in neighboring Afghanistan, which facilitates the network’s attacks inside Pakistan, although Afghan authorities have denied this.
“We have launched a news operation — Azm-e-Istehkam or Resolute Stability — to opposed and dismantle terrorist networks,” Khan said while addressing Annual Pakistan Conference at the Wilson Center on Wednesday. “For that, we need sophisticated small arms and communication equipment.”
He noted it was also important for regional security while pointing out that militant violence was also a threat to US interests.
Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Asif hinted at the possibility of launching cross-border attacks against TTP militants in Afghanistan in a recent interview with Voice of America.
Khan emphasized the US and Pakistan could collaborate in Afghanistan once again.
“The US should make Pakistan a partner for a diplomatic comeback in Kabul, if that is what is being planned, and work with Pakistan in an inclusive setting, on counterterrorism and the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan,” he said.
“We should continue to invest in the reset of our relationship, maintain strong security links, enhance intelligence cooperation, resume sales of advanced military platforms and sustainment of Pakistan’s US-origin defense equipment,” he added.
The Pakistani ambassador also spoke about his country’s efforts to generate foreign investment, saying that Pakistan had remained a lucratic and attractive market for American companies.