ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced a temporary pause in its cross-border military campaign, Operation Ghazab lil Haq, during the upcoming Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, while warning that operations will resume immediately in case of any fresh attacks.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the decision was taken as a goodwill gesture and in response to requests from friendly countries.
“In view of the upcoming Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr… the Government of Pakistan has decided to announce temporary pause amidst ongoing Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq,” Tarar said in a statement posted on X.
According to the announcement, the pause will remain in effect till March 23.
Tarar said the move reflects Pakistan’s intent to promote stability during a religious period and follows outreach from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye.
“Pakistan offers this gesture in good faith and in keeping with Islamic norms,” he said.
However, the minister underscored that the pause is conditional.
“In case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan, Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq shall immediately resume with renewed intensity,” he added.
Operation peaks ahead of pause
The pause comes as Pakistan’s campaign enters its third week following its launch in late February in response to persistent cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan territory.
In an operational update issued earlier on March 18, Tarar said Pakistani forces had inflicted significant losses on Afghan Taliban and affiliated terrorist groups.
According to the latest figures, 707 Afghan Taliban fighters and terrorists have been killed and more than 938 injured, while 255 posts have been destroyed and 44 captured during the course of the operation.
Tarar added that 237 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery systems had been destroyed, while 81 locations across Afghanistan were effectively targeted through air operations.
“Pakistan’s Armed Forces targeted Afghan military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar,” he said, adding that drone storage sites, ammunition depots and technical infrastructure used to support attacks against Pakistani civilians were destroyed in the strikes.
He maintained that operations were conducted with precision and targeted only terrorist infrastructure.
“No civilian population or infrastructure was targeted, contrary to the false claims being propagated,” Tarar said.
The government has reiterated that the objective of the operation remains the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure used for attacks against Pakistani civilians and security forces.
