Update on The Performance of Democratic Institutions | April 2025

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.

  1. 268th Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC)
  2. Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum 2025
  3. COAS addresses overseas Pakistanis
  4. Crucial Meeting of National Security Committee (NSC)
  5. ISI Chief Appointed as National Security Adviser
  6. COAS emphasizes Pakistan knows how to defend its nation
  7. ISPR shares evidence of India’s state-sponsored cross-border terrorism in Pakistan
  8. Prime Minister’s Interactions with COAS
  9. Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries

268th Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC)

The 268th Corps Commanders’ Conference, chaired by COAS General Syed Asim Munir on April 4 at GHQ, focused on national security, counterterrorism, and regional dynamics. COAS called for swift implementation of Vision Azm-e-Istehkam under the National Action Plan (NAP). District Coordination Committees were lauded for boosting inter-agency coordination. The Army also pledged support to the government and LEAs in combating economic crimes funding terror. The forum condemned Indian ceasefire violations and human rights abuses in IIOJK, reaffirming support for Kashmiris. It also expressed solidarity with Palestinians, condemning war crimes in Gaza.[1]

Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum 2025

On April 8, PM Shahbaz Sharif addressed the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum 2025 in Islamabad, inviting foreign investors to explore Pakistan’s rich mineral resources, especially in Balochistan, KP, GB, and AJK. He announced a ban on raw mineral exports, encouraging investors to establish local industries for processing and exporting finished products. COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir assured investors of strong security, particularly in Balochistan. He called on international institutions to invest in both exploration and downstream processing, stressing the importance of refining minerals locally. COAS also praised Baloch tribal elders for supporting mining activities and development.[2]

Advertisement

COAS addresses overseas Pakistanis; highlights ‘Two Nation Theory’

COAS General Syed Asim Munir delivering address to Overseas Pakistanis

On April 14, COAS General Syed Asim Munir addressed the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, declaring that Pakistan’s enemies are wrong to believe that a few terrorists can alter the nation’s fate. He stated that even generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan or Pakistan. General Munir rejected the idea of brain drain, calling it a “brain gain.” He emphasized the importance of preserving Pakistan’s founding values, including the two-nation theory. The COAS reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Kashmir, and expressed solidarity with Palestinians and Gaza.[3]

Crucial Meeting of National Security Committee (NSC)

On April 24, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting to discuss the Pahalgam attack of April 23 in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) and its security implications. The NSC condemned the attack, expressed concern over the loss of tourist lives, and criticized India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as politically motivated. The committee reaffirmed Kashmir’s status as an unresolved dispute under UN resolutions and rejected India’s attempts to link the attack to Pakistan without evidence. The NSC condemned India’s state oppression in Kashmir and state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, specifically referencing Kulbhushan Jadhav. In the context of suspension of Indus Waters Treaty by India, NSC warned that any attempt to divert water would be considered an Act of War. The NSC announced the suspension of all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement, and decided to close the Wagah Border Post immediately, with no exceptions for cross-border transit. Indian Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors were declared persona non grata and asked to leave by April 30, 2025. All trade and airspace with India were suspended, and the NSC reaffirmed Pakistan’s military readiness, citing the 2019 response as evidence of its strength. The committee concluded that India’s aggression once again prove the validity of the Two-Nation Theory.[4]

ISI Chief Appointed as National Security Adviser

On April 30, 2025, the Government of Pakistan appointed Lieutenant General Mohammad Asim Malik, the current Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), as the country’s 10th National Security Adviser (NSA). This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a serving ISI chief has been given the additional charge of NSA. A notification issued by the Cabinet Division confirmed that he would continue to serve as DG ISI, a position he has held since September 2024.

COAS emphasizes Pakistan knows how to defend its nation

On April 26, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, while addressing the passing out cadets at Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul, assertively responded to Indian threats and water aggression, asserting that Pakistan knows how to defend its homeland. COAS said Muslims are fundamentally different from Hindus in every aspect of life, their religion, customs, traditions, thoughts, and aspirations are distinct as founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, articulated the Two-Nation Theory in clear and unequivocal terms.

ISPR shares evidence of India’s state-sponsored cross-border terrorism in Pakistan

On April 29, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in a press conference, rejected India’s baseless accusations following the Pahalgam attack and provided evidence of India’s state-sponsored cross-border terrorism in Pakistan, particularly Balochistan.

Prime Minister’s Interactions with COAS

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met four times during April 2025:

  1. On April 08, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met at Pakistan Minerals Investment forum 2025. [8]
  2. On April 14, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met at Overseas Pakistanis Convention, Islamabad. [9]
  3. On April 24, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met at National Security Committee Meeting at PMO, Islamabad. [10]
  4. On April 26, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met at a Passing out of Cadets at PMA, Kakool. [11]

Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries

During April 2025, there were two meetings of General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) with foreign dignitaries.

  1. On April 09, Mr. Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the US State Department called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ, Rawalpindi.[12]
  2. On April 13, a delegation of the United States Congress, led by Honourable Jack Bergman along with Honourable Thomas Souzzi and Honourable Jonathan Jackson called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) AT GHQ, Rawalpindi.[13]

References

  1. “Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), chaired the 268th Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters (GHQ),” ISPR online, April 04, 2025, accessed April 10, 2025. https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7238 ↑
  2. “Army will secure investors invited to tap resources,” Dawn online, April 09, 2025, accessed April 13, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1902985/army-will-secure-investors-invited-to-tap-resources ↑
  3. “’Even ten generations of terrorists can’t harm Pakistan’: COAS Gen Asim Munir,” Express Tribune online, April 15, 2025, accessed April 18, 2025. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2540071/even-ten-generations-of-terrorists-cant-harm-pakistan-coas-gen-asim-munir ↑
  4. “Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), today,” PMO online, April 24, 2025, accessed April 27, 2025. https://pmo.gov.pk/press_release_detailes.php?pr_id=6034 ↑
  5. “In a first, ISI chief made national security adviser,” Dawn online, May 01, 2025, accessed May 02, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1907660 ↑
  6. “COAS Asim Munir warns India: Pakistan knows how to defend its homeland,” Samaa News online, April 26, 2025, accessed April 27, 2025. https://samaa.tv/2087332384-coas-asim-munir-warns-india-pakistan-knows-how-to-defend-its-homeland ↑
  7. Laiq ur Rehman, “DG ISPR rejects India’s allegations over Pahalgam attack,” ARY news online, April 29, 2025, accessed April 30, 2025. https://arynews.tv/dg-ispr-press-conference-after-pahalgam-attack-april-29-2025/ ↑
  8. “Army will secure investors invited to tap resources,” Dawn online, April 09, 2025, accessed April 13, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1902985/army-will-secure-investors-invited-to-tap-resources ↑
  9. “’Even ten generations of terrorists can’t harm Pakistan’: COAS Gen Asim Munir,” Express Tribune online, April 15, 2025, accessed April 18, 2025. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2540071/even-ten-generations-of-terrorists-cant-harm-pakistan-coas-gen-asim-munir ↑
  10. “Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), today,” PMO online, April 24, 2025, accessed April 27, 2025. https://pmo.gov.pk/press_release_detailes.php?pr_id=6034 ↑
  11. “COAS Asim Munir warns India: Pakistan knows how to defend its homeland,” Samaa News online, April 26, 2025, accessed April 27, 2025. https://samaa.tv/2087332384-coas-asim-munir-warns-india-pakistan-knows-how-to-defend-its-homeland ↑
  12. “A delegation of the United States Congress, led by Honourable Jack Bergman along with Honourable Thomas Souzzi and Honourable Jonathan Jackson called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) today,” ISPR online, April 13, 2025, accessed April 15, 2025. https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7249 ↑
  13. “A high-level delegation from the United States, led by Mr. Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at General Headquarters today,” ISPR online, April 09, 2025, accessed April 15, 2025. https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7243 ↑