This update is meant to identify key developments during the month on Performance of Democratic Institutions in Pakistan with selected high-profile international developments included occasionally.
Above Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif takes oath; below Mr. Asif Ali Zardari takes oath as 14th President of Pakistan[/caption]
On March 3, 16th National Assembly of Pakistan elected Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, MNA as the 24th premier of Pakistan by 201 votes while his opponent, Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, MNA, secured 92 votes. [1]
Earlier on March 02, the 16th National Assembly elected Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA of the PML-N and Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Shah, MNA of the PPP as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively. [2]
In his speech on the floor of the House punctuated violently by slogans from the PTI-led opposition MNAs, Prime Minister outlined the governance agenda of his government. He pledged placing the country under “a deep surgery” to take care of the ‘alarming’ debt crisis to make Pakistan “self-sufficient” as well as bring an end to electricity and tax theft terming them as “a matter of life and death for Pakistan.” He also promised decrease in inflation and increase in employment and announced providing specialised training for 500,000 students. Newly-elected PM also announced provision of subsidies directly to farmers, a package on solar tube-wells and elimination of “seed mafia” by importing seeds from the best countries in the world the first batch of which would be provided free of cost. Prime Minister also promised to bring investment into the country and to spread a web of “one window” export zones in all four provinces.” “Widening the web of public transport” was another pledge by the PM where he said that his government would ensure efficient public transport across the country. PM also announced state-of-the-art hospitals and medical facilities as well as building a system of swift justice while announcing that women and children behind bars, whose sentences were less than two years, would be freed.
Mr. Shehbaz Sharif agitated that there will be “no forgiveness for May 9 perpetrators” and that those responsible for the May 9 riots will not be forgiven and action will be taken against all those who were involved in the attack on state installations while justice would be dispensed to all those who were not involved in the riots.
PM also promised that his government would put an end to terrorism and its roots once and for all. He said his aim was to take the National Action Plan forward.
Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also announced visa-free entry for citizens of brotherly countries into Pakistan to increase trade between the countries. PM also set a goal for Pakistan to become a member of G20 countries by 2030.
PM also called out the international community for its silence and inaction on the situation in Gaza and held Kashmir and urged the National Assembly to “pass a resolution for the freedom of Kashmiris and Palestinians.”
On March 9, election of the 14th President of Pakistan saw Mr. Asif Ali Zardari being elected by bagging 411 electoral votes while his opponent, Mr. Mehmood Khan Achakzai could only get 181 electoral votes. [3] Mr. Zardari was backed by the PML-N-led coalition, while Mr. Achakzai was supported by the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI)-Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) alliance. [4] Mr. Zardari was administered oath as President by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, on March 10 at the Presidency.[5]
On March 11, a 19-member Federal Cabinet was administered oath by President Zardari which included 12 MNAs and three Senators as Federal Ministers, as well as a Minister of State. Three technocrats including Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, Mr. Mohsin Naqvi and Mr. Ahad Cheema were also included in the cabinet. [6]
Top row: Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri and Justice Babar Sattar Bottom row: Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz[/caption]
On April 01, Chief Justice of Pakistan constituted a seven-member bench to probe the charge made by six (6) IHC Judges of meddling by Intelligence Agencies in Judicial Affairs. The bench includes Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan. The bench was constituted under Section 2(1) of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023. [7]
In a letter addressed to members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on March 25, six (6) judges from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) accused intelligence agencies of interfering in judicial affairs through abduction and torture of relatives of judges and through secret surveillance inside their homes. The letter was penned-down by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz. [8]
On March 26, a Supreme Court full court meeting was convened to discuss allegations made by the IHC Judges where a proposal to initiate suo motu proceedings under Article 184(3) of the Constitution to probe the accusations was discussed though a decision was not reached.[9] On March 28, in a meeting, Prime Minister and the CJP decided in principle to form a commission to investigate these allegations to be supervised by an impartial judicial personality. The Federal Cabinet endorsed the decision on March 29, 2024 [10] and later approved the appointment of former CJP, Justice (Retd.) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani as head of the one member Inquiry Commission.[11]
The decision, however, was criticised by the opposition which insisted that a Commission consisting of only serving judges should be formed.[12]
Later, on March 31, over 300 lawyers urged the SC to take notice of the allegations under Article 184(3) of the Constitution arguing that any government-initiated commission “would be bereft of necessary independence and powers” to probe the claims.[13] Their demand, it appeared, pushed Justice (Retd.) Jillani to recuse himself from heading the commission by saying that since the letter by the IHC judges was addressed to the SJC, it would be violative of judicial propriety for him to inquire into a matter falling within the jurisdiction of a constitutional body. Justice (Retd.) Jillani also stated in his letter to the PM that the ToRs of the Commission were “strictly not germane to the subject matter” of the IHC Judges’ letter. [14]
On March 22, Supreme Court’s five-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa and including Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Irfan Saadat set aside the dismissal of former IHC Senior Judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui. In his petition, Justice Siddiqui had challenged an earlier SJC decision about his dismissal from service and an October 11, 2018 notification under which he was removed for a speech he had delivered at Rawalpindi Bar Association.[15]
The letter written in the backdrop of the SC decision outlined seven (7) instances of alleged interference and intimidation by intelligence officials including attempts to influence case outcomes, abduction of a judge’s relative, intimidation of district court judges, and surveillance of an IHC judge’s residence. One incident involved pressure on judges to influence the outcome of cases, resulting in a judge being hospitalized due to stress. Another incident mentioned the abduction of an IHC judge’s brother-in-law by armed men claiming to be the intelligence agencies’ operatives. Similarly surveillance equipment was found in an IHC judge’s residence, storing private videos of the judge and family members.
The letter pointed out that when two out of three judges in the bench hearing the plea to disqualify the PTI leader, Mr. Imran Khan, for concealing his alleged daughter opined that the case was not maintainable on April 19, 2023, they were pressured by “operatives of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)” through friends and relatives. The matter was reportedly brought to the attention of the IHC Chief Justice and the former CJP on May 2, 2023. On May 3, 2023, six judges of the IHC met with the Chief Justice of the IHC to share their concerns, who assured the judges that no ISI official would approach the IHC judges, but the interference allegedly continued. The judges attached copies of previous letters outlining complaints to the IHC CJ.
The letter also pointed that in May 2023, the brother-in-law of a judge of the IHC was abducted by armed men claiming to be operatives of the ISI. He was returned approximately 24 hours after his abduction, during which he was subjected to various forms of torture, including electric shocks. The abductors had reportedly conducted surveillance of the judge's family members, including his son, before selecting the brother-in-law for abduction. While in captivity, the brother-in-law was forced to record a video on the instructions of his abductors and was tortured into making false allegations. Subsequently, a complaint was filed against the judge of the IHC before the SJC. This complaint was accompanied by an orchestrated media campaign aimed at pressuring the judge to resign from his position.
The letter also highlighted that on May 3, 2023, the Inspection Judge for District East Islamabad reported to the Chief Justice of the IHC about intimidation faced by judges of the district court. Specifically, an Additional District and Sessions Judge had been threatened, and crackers were thrown into his house as an intimidation tactic. The matter was discussed among all judges of the IHC in the tea room to address the reported interference and intimidation. The relevant District and Sessions Judge overseeing the Division East was summoned to the IHC to verify the reports of interference by intelligence agencies. In the presence of the Chief Justice of the IHC and another judge, the District and Sessions Judge confirmed the reports of interference and intimidation. In response to the confirmation of interference, the District and Sessions Judge was made an officer special duty and transferred to the IHC. Later, he was sent back to Punjab as he was a judicial officer on deputation, and he is now posted at Bahawalpur.
Within the Letter, the six IHC judges also mentioned that on May 10, 2023, judges of the IHC sent a letter to the Chief Justice of the IHC documenting instances of interference by operatives of the ISI with judicial matters. They requested that appropriate contempt proceedings be initiated to ensure that the IHC continues to discharge its functions without interference by the executive or intelligence agencies. As no proceedings were initiated following their letter to the Chief Justice of the IHC, the judges deemed it appropriate to bring the matter to the attention of the Supreme Court. They sought an appointment with the CJP to discuss the issue further. On May 19, 2023, six judges of the IHC, who were present in the office on that date, met with the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The meeting was also attended by Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan. During the meeting, the judges of the IHC brought the matter to the attention of the CJP and sought intervention to address the interference by intelligence agencies. The CJP at the time advised that the Supreme Court would intervene after he had an opportunity to consult with his colleagues. Additionally, on the same day, the judges of the IHC met with Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who was the Senior Puisne Judge at the time, to bring the matter to his attention as well.
The letter further highlighted that during routine maintenance in the summer of 2023, a judge of the IHC found a wall-mounted light fixture which needed removal. Upon removal, a hidden video camera was discovered within the fixture, equipped with a SIM card. Another camera was found in the master bedroom, both recording audio and video from the judge's residence. USBs containing recorded footage were recovered, including private videos of the judge and family. The footage was reviewed by several IHC judges to verify its content. The matter was promptly reported to the Chief Justice of the IHC. No determination was made regarding who installed the equipment or who was responsible for the surveillance.[16]
The letter also added that five judges of IHC wrote a letter to Chief Justice of the IHC on February 12, 2024, mentioning accounts heard by them with regard to interference by operatives of intelligence agencies into the dispensation of duties and functions by judges of the District Judiciary, undermining their autonomy and independence. The letter demanded probe into the allegations of interference by the ISI operatives and emphasized the need to determine if there was a policy to intimidate judges. The judges also supported the demand for a probe by former IHC Judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.
The letter pointed that the SJC’s code of conduct for judges lacked guidance on responding to such incidents. The judges requested a judicial convention to discuss the interference of intelligence officials “that undermines independence of the judiciary” and stated that the consultation would help the Supreme Court to determine a course of action that judges could take “when they find themselves at the receiving end.” [17]
Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, former Judge of SC[/caption]
On March 7, the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) found former Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi guilty of misconduct and recommended his removal from office. [18]
Justice Naqvi faced nine (9) different complaints under Article 209(6) of the Constitution before he resigned from his position on January 10, 2024 a day before SJC proceedings against him. Despite his resignation, the SJC proceeded with the hearings against him, aiming to dispel the misperception that the judiciary was above the law.
Justice (Retd.) Naqvi's statement mentioned that the SJC proceedings against him were ex parte, and he refused to participate, citing resignation. He criticized the SJC's handling of the matter, accusing it of targeting him unfairly and vowing to challenge its decision.
The SJC’s findings did not specify the consequences, leaving it to the government to interpret or amend the Presidential Order 1997 regarding judges' pensions and benefits. On March 8, the SJC released a 33-page detailed reason for its opinion, affirming Justice Naqvi guilty of misconduct and recommending his removal from office.[19]
The SJC reviewed six (6) other complaints against judges, dismissing five due to lack of substance and issuing a notice to a Balochistan High Court judge to respond within 14 days. The SJC also discussed concerns raised by judges about responding to publicized allegations, agreeing to amend Article V of the Code of Conduct to allow judges to respond to publicized allegations without violating misconduct rules.
The PTI leadership has alleged that Form-45s published by the ECP on its website were heavily tampered with, favouring the PTI’s rivals and showing voter turnout exceeding 100% at several polling stations. [20]
PTI Chairman Mr. Gohar Ali Khan, along with senior leaders Mr. Taimur Khan Jhagra and Mr. Salman Akram Raja, held a press conference to present evidence of election fraud. They claimed that PTI-backed candidates were defeated due to overnight changes in the results, evident from the comparison of ECP’s Form-45 with the original ones available with candidates. The PTI asserted that its victory on 180 National Assembly seats was based on “original” Forms-45 and accused the ECP of tampering with results.
On March 05, giving its opinion on a presidential reference filed by then President, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari in April 2011, the Supreme Court stated that former Prime Minister Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was denied the right to a fair trial.
A nine-member larger bench led by CJP Justice Qazi Faez Isa included Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Musarrat Hilali. [21]
In a detailed judgement on March 04, the Supreme Court ruled that the Lahore High Court (LHC) exceeded its jurisdiction by declaring unconstitutional the special court's order of awarding death sentence to former President, Gen. (Retd.) Pervez Musharraf.
On January 10, a four-judge SC bench headed by the CJP and comprising Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Athar Minallah had upheld the death sentence of former military dictator Gen. (Retd.) Pervez Musharraf, which was awarded to him by a Special Court in the high treason case. [22]
Justice Shah emphasised that the LHC should have confined itself to the dispute brought before it and decided it in accordance with the law and the Constitution. The LHC had not only assumed the jurisdiction that was not vested in it but also encroached upon the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.[23]
On March 13, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) dismissed the SIC’s petition challenging the ECP decision to reject the party allocation of reserved women and minority seats.[24]
On March 04, the ECP had decided against allocating reserved seats to the PTI-backed SIC due to “non-curable legal defects and violation of mandatory provision of submission of the party list for reserved seats.” The decision was based on provisions of Article 51(6) and Section 104 of the Elections Act, 2017, stating that the SIC was not entitled to claim reserved seats. [25]
PM with COAS during his visit to the GHQ[/caption]
During his first visit after taking oath to the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on March 15, Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif “assured that the Government shall provide all the resources required for ensuring operational readiness of the Armed Forces. He said that Pakistan is destined to rise and the role of the Armed Forces in ensuring peaceful rise of Pakistan cannot be over-emphasized.
Prime Minister received a security briefing covering various aspects such as the threat spectrum, responses to security threats, and ongoing counter-terrorism operations. He engaged in discussions with military leadership on matters related to national security, regional stability, and military preparedness. [26]
According to the ISPR Press Release, PM was accompanied by key members of his cabinet and was received by Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, and was presented guard of honour. Floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada was laid by the Prime Minister, to pay tribute to the martyrs.[27]
On March 21, President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari invoked Article 248 of the Constitution to seek immunity from ongoing criminal proceedings against him in the Islamabad Accountability Court. [28]
It was analysed that the move appeared to have been aimed at halting proceedings related to the Thatta Water Supply Project and Park Lane cases. President Zardari, it was opined, might also have intended to extend the immunity claim to two additional cases concerning Toshakhana vehicles and fake bank accounts, as was revealed by his lead counsel, Senator Farooq H. Naek.
On March 27, a six-member Supreme Court bench, chaired by Justice Aminuddin Khan and including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Azhar Hasan Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan granted permission for military courts to announce reserved verdicts in cases related to the May 9, 2023 violence incidents. [29]
Earlier on March 25, the bench asked the Federal Government for information about how many of the 103 civilians allegedly involved in the May 9, 2023 violence have either been awarded short jail terms by military courts, or waiting to be released under Section 382-B of the CrPC, or straight away acquitted. [30]
Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, Finance Minister and Mr. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Foreign Minister[/caption]
On March 29, Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif approved the reconstitution of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), with the foreign minister replacing the finance minister as a member of the CCI for the first time. President Asif Ali Zardari constituted the eight-member council under Article 153 of the Constitution, with the PM as its head and all four chief ministers among its members.
It was commented that PM’s decision to include the foreign minister in the CCI marks a departure from tradition, where the finance minister typically held such responsibilities. Previously, PM Shehbaz had also tasked Foreign Minister Dar with heading the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation, a role traditionally held by the finance minister. Prior to this, PM had constituted six separate cabinet committees on various economic matters, initially assigning the finance minister to head the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation. Following backlash, PM reshuffled the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), tasking Finance Minister Aurangzeb with heading the key economic body.[31]
On March 21, Special Apex Committee Meeting of the SIFC was convened and chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting was also joined by former Caretaker Prime Minister Mr. Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar and Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. Syed Asim Munir.
According to the PMO, the meeting was conducted with a “singular focus of briefing the Cabinet in the presence of the Caretaker Cabinet, marking a historic moment of seamless transition.”
The Committee was briefed about the SIFC initiative and major contributions made towards the investments, privatization and overall micro-economic stabilisation of the Country.
The PMO noted that the committee “admired the leadership of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for envisioning and launching the SIFC in June 2023, which has now moved from its formative phase and evolved progressively under the Caretaker Government.”
According to the PMO, Chief of the Army Staff reassured the fullest support of Pakistan Armed Forces to backstop the economic initiatives of the Government and ensured the provision of safe, secure and conducive environment to nurture country’s true economic potential.
On March 05, COAS, General Syed Asim Munir presided over the 263rd Corps Commanders’ Conference at the GHQ, Rawalpindi.
According to the ISPR, the forum paid tribute to the sacrifices of Shuhadas, including Armed Forces personnel and citizens, for peace and stability. The forum reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to combat terrorists and their facilitators, aiming to destabilize the country.
Efforts of civil administration, law enforcement agencies, and security forces during General Elections were appreciated for creating a safe environment per the ECP guidelines. The forum also acknowledged the smooth democratic transition of power in the Centre and Provinces. It hoped for political and economic stability post-elections, emphasizing democratic consolidation for the country's progress.
Concern was expressed over organized misinformation and fake news spreading divisions within society. Citizens were urged to remain positive, united, and participate in the country's progress and development.[32]
Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN[/caption]
On March 06, Pakistan urged the United Nations to conduct an investigation to determine how the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) obtained advanced military equipment and financing sources.
Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to demand that the interim Afghan government sever ties with the TTP. He warned that if unchecked, the TTP, supported by Al Qaeda and some state sponsors, could pose a global terrorist threat. [33]
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker, National Assembly of Pakistan[/caption]
General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Army Staff[/caption]
During March 2024, there were six meetings of General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) with foreign dignitaries:
PM Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif (Left) with President Asif Ali Zardari (Right)[/caption]
On March 26, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, MNA called on President Asif Ali Zardari, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad.[41]
Interesting optics of the seating arrangements were at display in the officially-released photo by the Presidency where Prime Minister was made to seat across the table from the President, showing that the President’s office was superior to that of the elected Premier. In seating arrangements of meetings held between earlier Presidents and Premiers, both are seated side-by-side with each other.
Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, met six times during March 2024:
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Syed Irfan Raza, Amir Wasim, “NA gets new custodians amid noisy PTI protest,” Dawn online, March 02, 2024, accessed March 18, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1818406/na-gets-new-custodians-amid-noisy-pti-protest. ↑
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“PM, CJP decide on forming commission to probe spy agencies' interference in judiciary,” The News International online, March 28, 2024, accessed March 28, 2024. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1173160-pm-shehbaz-meets-cjp-isa-amid-ihc-judges-letter-controversy. ↑
Ayaz Ahmed, “Ex CJP Tassaduq Jillani to lead commission formed to investigate judges’ allegations,” The News International online, March 30, 2024, accessed March 31, 2024. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1173951-govt-appoints-former-cjp-to-head-inquiry-commission-probing-ihc-judges-allegations ↑
“PTI rejects probe body under former top judge,” The News International online, March 31, 2024, accessed March 31, 2024. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1174133-pti-rejects-probe-body-under-former-top-judge. ↑
“IHC judges’ letter: Over 300 lawyers call on SC to take notice under Article 184(3),” Dawn online, March 31, 2024, accessed April 02, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1824860. ↑
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Haseeb Bhatti, “SC sets aside dismissal of former IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui,” Dawn online, March 22, 2024, accessed April 02, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1823124. ↑
Terence J Sigamony , “‘Interference’ by ‘operatives of intel agencies: 6 IHC judges seek guidance from SJC,” Business Recorder online, March 27, 2024, accessed April 07, 2024. https://www.brecorder.com/news/40295615/interference-by-operatives-of-intel-agencies-6-ihc-judges-seek-guidance-from-sjc. ↑
Malik Asad, “IHC judges detail ‘brazen meddling’ in letter to Supreme Judicial Council,” Dawn online, March 27, 2024, accessed March 28, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1824028/ihc-judges-detail-brazen-meddling-in-letter-to-supreme-judicial-council. ↑
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Nasir Iqbal, “Ousted SC judge Mazahar Naqvi to be deprived of ‘justice’ title,” Dawn online, March 09, 2024, accessed March 20, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1820179/ousted-sc-judge-mazahar-naqvi-to-be-deprived-of-justice-title. ↑
Ikram Junaidi, “PTI alleges ‘180-degree turns’ in Form-45s,” Dawn online, March 07, 2024, accessed March 19, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1819758/pti-alleges-180-degree-turns-in-form-45s. ↑
“SC admits Bhutto’s unfair trial after 44 years,” Express Tribune online, March 06, 2024, accessed March 19, 2024. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458539/sc-admits-bhuttos-unfair-trial-after-44-years. ↑
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Abdul Hakeem, “No reserved seats for Sunni Ittehad Council as Peshawar High Court rejects plea against ECP’s decision,” Dawn online, March 14, 2024, accessed April 02, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1821427. ↑
Iftikhar A. Khan, “PTI to knock SC door after losing reserved seats,” Dawn online, March 05, 2024, accessed March 19, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1819260/pti-to-knock-sc-door-after-losing-reserved-seats. ↑
Baqir Sajjad Syed, “PM vows to meet army’s needs, seeks US support for economy,” Dawn online, March 16, 2024, accessed March 22, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1821751/pm-vows-to-meet-armys-needs-seeks-us-support-for-economy. ↑
“The Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, accompanied by key members of the Cabinet, visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi,” ISPR online, March 15, 2024, accessed April 02, 2024. https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=6782. ↑
Malik Asad, “Zardari pleads presidential immunity in two NAB cases,” Dawn online, March 22, 2024, accessed March 23, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1823054/zardari-pleads-presidential-immunity-in-two-nab-cases. ↑
“May 9 violence cases: SC gives go-ahead to military courts to pronounce certain reserved verdicts,” The News International online, March 28, 2024, accessed March 29, 2024. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1173243-may-9-violence-cases-sc-gives-go-ahead-to-military-courts-to-pronounce-certain-reserved-verdicts. ↑
Nasir Iqbal, “SC wants details of civilians in army custody,” Dawn online, March 26, 2024, accessed March 26, 2024. https://www.dawn.com/news/1823845/sc-wants-details-of-civilians-in-army-custody. ↑
“Foreign minister replaces finance minister in CCI,” The News International online, March 29, 2024, accessed March 30, 2024. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1173564-foreign-minister-replaces-finance-minister-in-cci. ↑
“General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) presided over the 263rd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held at GHQ,” ISPR online, March 05, 2024, accessed March 19, 2024. https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=6766. ↑
Kamran Yousaf, “Pakistan terms TTP a global security threat,” Express Tribune online, March 07, 2024, accessed March 28, 2024. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458585/pakistan-terms-ttp-a-global-security-threat. ↑
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