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.
- 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference
- Former PM writes series of Letters to COAS
- Democracy Index: Pakistan’s democracy went down six spots in 2024
- US Congressmen urges US Secretary of State to engage with Pakistan in the bail for PTI founder
- COAS expresses complete confidence in battle readiness of armed forces
- COAS addresses students
- Prime Minister’s Interactions with COAS
- Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries
267th Corps Commanders’ Conference
On February 04, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), presided over the 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters (GHQ). Forum reviewed prevailing situation along the LoC & Working Boundary; reaffirmed COAS expressed grave concern over terrorist activities in Pakistan originating from Afghan soil and condemned Fitna Al Khawarij’s attacks and urged the Interim Afghan Government to take decisive action instead of issuing denials.
Former PM writes series of Letters to COAS
On February 03, Former Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan has written a letter to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir regarding the growing distrust between the military and the public. On February 04, security sources said the letter written by Mr. Khan had not been received by the military adding military establishment was not interested in receiving such a letter.[1] On February 08, PTI founder, Mr. Imran Khan wrote a second open letter to COAS, alleging mistreatment in jail and military interference in politics.[2] On February 13, a third open letter, purportedly addressed to COAS, was shared on Mr. Imran Khan’s X account. Though, full text was not disclosed, and it is unclear whether the letter was formally sent or just shared through media channels. Within the Letter, Mr. Khan accused ISPR of building a false narrative that is “bringing the armed forces into disrepute” and mocked ISPR’s repeated claims that the army does not interfere in politics, calling it an insult to the nation’s intelligence.[3]
Democracy Index: Pakistan’s democracy went down six spots in 2024
On February 27, in the Democracy Index published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Pakistan’s democracy ranking went down six spots in 2024, being ranked among the “top 10 worst performers”. It analysed global trends in democracy within 165 independent states and two territories. Each country was categorised into four kinds of regimes: full democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regime or authoritarian regime, based on its score. According to the index, more than one-third (39.2 per cent) of the world population live under authoritarian rule with sixty countries are now classified as ‘authoritarian regimes’. Pakistan was ranked 124 in the global ranking with an overall score of 2.84, categorising it as an ‘authoritarian regime’. According to report, Elections in South Asia in 2024 were marred by fraud and violence adding Pakistan’s general election in February, 2024, there were allegations of political repression and interference by the authorities.[4]
US Congressmen urges US Secretary of State to engage with Pakistan in the bail for PTI founder
In a letter sent in February 2025, republican Congressman Wilson asked President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir to release Khan. Mr. Wilson said Mr. Khan’s release “would be a major step towards strengthening US-Pakistan relations”.[5]
COAS expresses complete confidence in battle readiness of armed forces
On February 04, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), visited Muzaffarabad, where he paid homage to the sacrifices of the martyrs and commended the unwavering dedication, professional excellence, and combat readiness of the deployed officers and soldiers in the face of challenging operational conditions in Kashmir. The COAS expressed complete confidence in the battle readiness of the Armed Forces.[6]
COAS addresses students
On February 11, General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), addressed a gathering of young university and college students, representing youth from all across Pakistan. During his interaction, COAS encouraged the students to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits and to develop skills that would enable them to contribute and also shared perspective on the impact of external environment on Pakistan, especially the threat from trans-border terrorism. COAS highlighted the role of the Pakistan Army in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. COAS, while emphasizing the need to imbibe ‘Pakistaniat’, highlighted the significance of Pakistan’s history, culture, and values in the intellectual development of our youth.[7]
Prime Minister’s Interactions with COAS
Prime Minister, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met twice during February 2025:
- On February 11, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met during the meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates at Qasr Al Shati, Abu Dhabi, UAE. [8]
- On February 27, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met at Aiwan e Saddar, Islamabad during the welcoming of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed on a day long visit to Pakistan.[9]
Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries
During February 2025, there were seven meetings of General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) with foreign dignitaries.
- On February 06, Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Bangladesh Navy, called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi.[10]
- On February 11, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates at Qasr Al Shati, Abu Dhabi, UAE. [11]
- On February 19-21, General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), During his visit to United Kingdom, the COAS engaged with key members of the UK’s civil and military leadership including (Mr. Adm Toney Radikon, Chief of Defence Staff UK, General Sir Roland Walker, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, Mr. Jonathan Nicholas Powell, the UK National Security Advisor and Ms. Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary. [12]
- On February 27, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed at Aiwan e Saddar, Islamabad.[13]
References
Ikram Junaidi, “Establishment denies receiving Imran’s letter,” Dawn online, February 05, 2025, accessed February 16, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1889813/establishment-denies-receiving-imrans-letter ↑
Kalbe Ali, “Army must play its ‘constitutional’ role, says Imran,” Dawn online, February 09, 2025, accessed February 17, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1890696/army-must-play-its-constitutional-role-says-imran ↑
Ikram Junaidi, “Imran’s attempts to engage military draw cold shoulder,” Dawn online, February 14, 2025, accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1891813/imrans-attempts-to-engage-military-draw-cold-shoulder ↑
“Pakistan on list of ‘worst performing’ democracies,” Dawn online, February 28, 2025, accessed February 28, 2025. https://www.dawn.com/news/1894785/pakistan-on-list-of-worst-performing-democracies ↑
“Congressmen urge top US diplomat to get Imran freed,” The News International online, February 28, 2025, accessed February 28, 2025. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1287296-congressmen-urge-top-us-diplomat-to-get-imran-freed ↑
“Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), visited Muzaffarabad, where he paid homage to the sacrifices of the martyrs,” ISPR online, February 05, 2025. Accessed February 15, 2025. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7174 ↑
“General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), addressed a gathering of young university and college students, representing youth from all across Pakistan,” ISPR online, February 12, 2025, accessed February 25, 2025. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7189 ↑
“Prime Minister of Pakistan and UAE President Discuss Bilateral Cooperation,” PMO online, February 11, 2025, accessed February 13, 2025. https://www.pmo.gov.pk/press_release_detailes.php?pr_id=5817 ↑
“Abu Dhabi crown prince reaffirms UAE’s support for Pakistan’s economy,” The News International online, February 27, 2025, accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.geo.tv/latest/592879-abu-dhabi-crown-prince-reaffirms-uaes-support-for-pakistans-economy ↑
“Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Bangladesh Navy, called on General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi,” ISPR online, February 07, 2025, accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7181 ↑
“Prime Minister of Pakistan and UAE President Discuss Bilateral Cooperation,” PMO online, February 11, 2025, accessed February 13, 2025. https://www.pmo.gov.pk/press_release_detailes.php?pr_id=5817 ↑
“General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), is on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 7th Regional Stabilization Conference at the esteemed Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he will deliver the keynote address on “The Emerging World Order and Pakistan’s Future Outlook,” ISPR online, February 19, 2025, accessed February 21, 2025. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7199 ↑
“Abu Dhabi crown prince reaffirms UAE’s support for Pakistan’s economy,” The News International online, February 27, 2025, accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.geo.tv/latest/592879-abu-dhabi-crown-prince-reaffirms-uaes-support-for-pakistans-economy ↑