'PM gives go-ahead for ground operation in Shawal Valley'

[farhan_9909]

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday gave the go-ahead to extend Operation Zarb-e-Azb into Shawal Valley, sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune.

The development to expand the operation into the mountainous north-western region of North Waziristan Agency came during a meeting between the premier and army chief General Raheel Sharif in Islamabad on Monday.

“All financial issues related to the new military offence in Shawal Valley will be incorporated in the upcoming budget,” the sources added.

Read: Air strikes kill 15 militants in Shawal Valley

Further, the source said, “Pakistan Army’s operation in Shawal will force Afghanistan to take action against TTP’s strongholds in their country and address RAW’s sanctuaries there as well.”

The deeply forested ravines of the valley are a key smuggling route between Pakistan and Afghanistan and are hub of Taliban bases used as launch pads for attacks on Pakistani forces.

Pakistan Army has cleared Tirah Valley from terrorists through military operations and the next step is to clear Shawal Valley, the source added.

Read: 17 terrorists killed as troops close in on Shawal Valley

There have been a number of air strikes in the Shawal Valley over the past week, including two US drone attacks, but the military has now decided to move ground troops into the valley.

During the second week of May, the military had began preparations for an offence to push Taliban from their last major stronghold, the Shawal Valley. But now the premier formally approved the operation.

Pakistan, Afghanistan relations

Regarding developments in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, sources said that significant breakthrough has taken place between Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Afghanistan’s spy agency National Directorate of Security (NDS) relations as both agreed to share vital informations about terrorists.

Read: Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to share intelligence

RAW’s involvement in Balochistan

During the meeting, the civil and military leadership agreed to expose Indian spy agency RAW’s involvement at every forum as Baloch insurgents have accelerated their activities in the country, the source added.

Karachi operation

Regarding Karachi’s security situation, the top civil and military leadership discussed the appointment of new Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Sial.

“Sial’s appointment was just to address the issue of former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza and not to deal with the law and order situation of the province,” the source said.

Read: Suhail Anwar Sial appointed Sindh home minister

“PPP’s co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has appointed Sial with a special task to settle Zardari’s personal scores with Mirza,” he added.

According to the sources, Sial used to work as personal security incharge of Faryal Talpur and his duty was to hire personal guards for Talpur.

“PM and army chief agreed to see continuation of current political set up in the Sindh province under Rangers which would deal law and order situation through an apex committee,” the sources added.

IGP, law enforcement agencies and other major concerned departments will perform their functions under directions of the Sindh apex committee.

'PM gives go-ahead for ground operation in Shawal Valley' - The Express Tribune

 

[Indus Falcon]

Somebody needs to tell the PM, his go ahead doesn't mean two cents!

 

[Sulman Badshah]

North waziristan is already in operation and shawal valley is part of it ... than Why PM give separate approval for shawal valley

 

[Indus Falcon]

North waziristan is already in operation and shawal valley is part of it ... than Why PM give separate approval for shawal valley

Because he thinks the world revolves around him!

 

[Shan-e-ibrahim]

What will be the response of India now? I think , things are just going to get worse..

 

[Kabira]

How many areas are still left?

 

[rockstar08]

Tribal's Areas and its people obsession with Terrorists ..
we are not going to win this war

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Somebody needs to tell the PM, his go ahead doesn't mean two cents!

Where would Army get the funds for the Operation if it wasn't PM or Gov??? These two cents are imp for Army...

 

[That Guy]

Somebody needs to tell the PM, his go ahead doesn't mean two cents!

And where are they going to get the money from, if the PM doesn't approve it? Things have changed. While the military still holds significant sway, it no longer has tight control over parliament, nor the budget.

The army needs the PM's approval, as it should.

 

[Indus Falcon]

Where would Army get the funds for the Operation if it wasn't PM or Gov??? These two cents are imp for Army...

And where are they going to get the money from, if the PM doesn't approve it? Things have changed. While the military still holds significant sway, it no longer has tight control over parliament, nor the budget.

The army needs the PM's approval, as it should.

Chaudary Saheb, The only thing a thief fears is a law biding cop.

Remember how a certain gentleman was called to the GHQ and made to cough up for the Jordanian F16's? A lot of people on this very forum disputed it, then what happened?

IF you want the Army to be subservient to a PM, then next time elect an honest one, with no skeletons in his closet.

You are free to believe whatever you want, but history will prove you wrong.

 

[That Guy]

Chaudary Saheb, The only thing a thief fears is a law biding cop.

Remember how a certain gentleman was called to the GHQ and made to cough up for the Jordanian F16's? A lot of people on this very forum disputed it, then what happened?

You are free to believe whatever you want, but history will prove you wrong.

When did the F-16 event happen? We've all known that Pakistan was going to buy Jordanian F-16s for a long time, and it was signed off on without any sort of issue. I don't know what you're referring to.

It's also not about what I believe, it's simply a factual statement I'm making. The government, and indeed the parliament, control the budget, without their approval (especially the parliament), the military gets nothing. It doesn't matter how much pressure the military puts on NS, without a budget being approved by the parliament, nothing will get done.

 

[Menace2Society]

Baluchistan operation also coming up. I will give it another 2 years before entire Pakistani territory is in army control.

 

[That Guy]

IF you want the Army to be subservient to a PM, then next time elect an honest one, with no skeletons in his closet.

Even the army has skeletons in it's own closet. The army must be subservient to the parliament, not the PM, that is how the rule of law is suppose to work.

 

[Indus Falcon]

When did the F-16 event happen? We've all known that Pakistan was going to buy Jordanian F-16s for a long time, and it was signed off on without any sort of issue. I don't know what you're referring to.

It's also not about what I believe, it's simply a factual statement I'm making. The government, and indeed the parliament, control the budget, without their approval (especially the parliament), the military gets nothing. It doesn't matter how much pressure the military puts on NS, without a budget being approved by the parliament, nothing will get done.

Even the army has skeletons in it's own closet. The army must be subservient to the parliament, not the PM, that is how the rule of law is suppose to work.

Like I said you are free to believe what you want. But keep in mind, those who have skeletons in their closets are in no bargaining position!

Hypothetically speaking IF the Army has skeletons in it's closet, what is the PM going to do? Take on the wrath of the whole Army?

How it is supposed to work, and how it works are two different things! Seems like you haven't figure it out by now!!!

 

[That Guy]

Like I said you are free to believe what you want. But keep in mind, those who have skeletons in their closets are in no bargaining position!

Hypothetically speaking IF the Army has skeletons in it's closet, what is the PM going to do? Take on the wrath of the whole Army?

How it is supposed to work, and how it works are two different things! Seems like you haven't figure it out by now!!!

How it works is that geopolitics has dictated that the army back off from political interference. The KSA request for soldiers and subsequent rejection, should have been a clear indication of where the army stands today in Pakistan. While still the most respected institution in Pakistan, they know that they cannot interfere in political affairs of the nation. A coup is out of the question, as it would probably destroy Pakistan's current unity.

If anything, it's the military that can't do a thing, while the PM can simply go to parliament, or even the judiciary to gain backing.

The military is no longer the same force that it used to be. It's far too busy fighting a war, and keeping the security situation stable to challenge the political apparatus effectively.

Again, this isn't about what I believe, this is simply the reality of the situation.