Update on The Performance of Democratic Institutions | January 2026

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. The Field Marshal visits National Police Academy
  2. PM Shahbaz Sharif praises the Field Marshal for stabilizing economy
  3. Pakistan joins Board of Peace
  4. DG ISPR blames KP government for growing nexus between political and militant elements
  5. Prime Minister’s Interactions with the Field Marshal
  6. Interactions of the Field Marshal with Foreign Dignitaries

Field Marshal visits National Police Academy

On January 20, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) visited the National Police Academy, Islamabad, where he interacted with officers of the Police Service of Pakistan. Federal Minister for Interior, along with the Minister of State for Interior were also present during the visit. The Field Marshal acknowledged the sacrifices of police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty while safeguarding peace, upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety amid terrorism and crime. During the visit, the Field Marshal was briefed on the School for High-Impact Elite Law Enforcement Development (SHIELD), and police capacity-building initiatives. The Field Marshal also interacted with Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs). While interacting with Inspectors General of Police (IGPs), Additional IGPs, and senior police officials, he underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation, modern policing practices and public trust in law enforcement agencies. He emphasized that a professional and people-centric police force is essential for internal security and the rule of law. The Field Marshal assured that the Armed Forces would continue to fully support Pakistan’s police.[1]

PM Shahbaz Sharif praises the Field Marshal for stabilizing economy

On January 31, PM, Shahbaz Sharif, while addressing business leaders, highlighted that Pakistan has achieved a stronger global standing following its “battle for truth.” He said the world is now paying attention, with foreign investors expressing interest, adding that several economic challenges were addressed with the support of Field Marshal, Syed Asim Munir. The Prime Minister added that civil-military coordination will help Pakistan emerge as a stronger nation. He noted that Pakistan’s economic progress will surprise regional rivals, including India.[2]

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Pakistan joins the Board of Peace

On January 22, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif joined a group of international leaders in signing the charter of the US-led ‘Board of Peace’, during a ceremony held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Leaders and senior officals from 19 countries gathered on stage with US President Donald Trump at the signing ceremony. Field Marshal, COAS-CDF Syed Asim Munir was also present at the event. The board’s creation was endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution linked to the Gaza peace framework, with the UN stating that its engagement would remain limited to its mandate. Leaders from several countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Indonesia also signed the charter. President Donald Trump remarked that the initiative aimed to promote peace through collective leadership, stating that the platform was meant to unite global leadership for conflict resolution. Apart from the United States, no other permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) — China, Russia, the UK, or France — committed to joining the initiative. France declined to join, citing that the charter does not align with existing UN resolutions on Gaza and contradicts provisions of the UN Charter. Notably, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the presence of Field Marshal COAS-CDF Asim Munir to President Trump, who acknowledged it positively.[3] On January 23, the government faced political backlash during the joint session of the parliament over Pakistan’s decision to join President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ initiative on Gaza.

DG ISPR blames KP government for growing nexus between political and militant elements

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, DG-ISPR

On January 06, Director General ISPR, Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stated in a press conference that around 80% of terrorist incidents in 2025 occurred in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, attributing the trend to politically permissive environment and a growing nexus between political and militant actors. He warned that this environment had enabled extremist networks to expand and repeatedly challenge the writ of the state. During the briefing, DG ISPR criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership, without naming the party or its leadership, over what he termed contradictory positions on counterterrorism and questioned inconsistencies in their narrative using video clips and screenshots. He condemned claims that security forces were fighting for minerals or foreign funding, calling them an insult to the sacrifices of martyrs. DG ISPR stressed that the Pakistan Army operates as federal force under constitutional authority and warned that no political group could allow compromise on national territory for political interest. He cited that the withdrawal from Swat in the past, as a costly policy failure that had led to large-scale violence. He stated that parties including the ANP, JUI-F, PPP and PML-N had consistently opposed terrorism and suffered militant attacks, questioning why some political actors appeared unaffected by militant violence. DG ISPR rejected calls to seek Afghanistan’s help on security matters, stating that Afghan territory continues to host terrorist networks. He also dismissed the idea of negotiations without force, warning that would effectively surrender governance to militants. He said that militant groups were operating from Afghan soil with external support, including India, and that the situation deteriorated after non-implementation of the Doha Agreement commitments. DG ISPR revealed that in 2025, security forces conducted over 75,000 intelligence-based operations, during which 5,397 terrorist incidents were recorded, 2,597 militants were killed and, 1,235 soldiers were martyred. He concluded that counterterrorism is a national responsibility, not solely a military effort, warning that without unity, terrorism would continue to destabilise the society.[4]

Prime Minister’s Interactions with the Field Marshal

During January 2026, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and the Field Marshal met twice:

  1. On January 22, during World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland. [5]
  2. On January 29, at the ceremony of the completion of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) privatisation.[6]

Interactions of the Chief of Army Staff – Chief of Defence Forces (COAS-CDF) with Foreign Dignitaries

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF)

During January 2026, there were 5 meetings of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, COAS and CDF with foreign dignitaries.

  1. Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force on January 8, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.[7]
  2. Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Retd), Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, on January 12 at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.[8]
  3. A delegation of World Liberty Financial USA led by Mr. Zachary Witkoff, Chief Executive Officer of a leading global Fintech firm, on January 14, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.[9]
  4. Mr. Donald Trump, President of United States of America and other global leaders, on January 22 at World Economic Forum, held at Davos, Switzerland. [10]
  5. General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Chief of the Turkish General Staff, on January 30 at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.[11]

References

  1. “Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, visited the National Police Academy, Islamabad, where he interacted with officers of the Police Service of Pakistan,” ISPR online, January 20, 2026, accessed January 21, 2026. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7594 ↑
  2. Saadia Aiman, “PM Shahbaz hails CDF’s role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy,” Minute Mirror online, January 30, 2026, accessed January 31, 2026. https://minutemirror.com.pk/pm-shahbaz-hails-cdfs-role-in-strengthening-pakistans-economy-498284/ ↑
  3. “Pakistan signs up for ‘Board of Peace’,” DAWN online, January 22, 2026 https://www.dawn.com/news/1968539/pakistan-signs-up-for-board-of-peace , accessed January 25, 2026. ↑
  4. “DG ISPR blames K-P’s political environment for terror spike,” Express Tribune online, January 06, 2026, accessed January 12, 2026. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2585724/live-pakistans-chief-military-spokesperson-addresses-presser-on-security-situation ↑
  5. “Pakistan signs up for ‘Board of Peace’,” DAWN online, January 22, 2026 https://www.dawn.com/news/1968539/pakistan-signs-up-for-board-of-peace , accessed January 25, 2026. ↑
  6. “PM Shehbaz congratulates nation on completion of PIA’s privatisation,” DAWN online, January 29, 2026, accessed January 30, 2026. https://www.dawn.com/news/1969736/pm-shehbaz-congratulates-nation-on-completion-of-pias-privatisation ↑
  7. “Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Chief of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi,” ISPR online, January 08, 2026, accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7579 ↑
  8. “Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Retd), Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi,” ISPR online, January 12 2026, accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7586 ↑
  9. “A delegation of World Liberty Financial USA led by Mr. Zachary Witkoff, Chief Executive Officer of a leading global Fintech firm, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF,” ISPR online, January 14, 2026, accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7589 ↑
  10. “Pakistan signs up for ‘Board of Peace’,” DAWN online, January 22, 2026 https://www.dawn.com/news/1968539/pakistan-signs-up-for-board-of-peace , accessed January 25, 2026. ↑
  11. “General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Chief of the Turkish General Staff, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, at General Headquarters (GHQ) today,” ISPR online, January 30, 2026, accessed January 31, 2026. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7599 ↑