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.

In this Issue:

1. PM warns Nation of Tough Time ahead in view of Afghanistan
2. Soft Image of Pakistan only through promoting Pakistaniat: Prime Minister
3. Rule of law, Accountability and Justice are vision of Pakistan: PM
4. National Assembly passes Elections Amendment Bills
5. Pakistan Stays on FATF Grey List
6. Federal Government to Monitor and Evaluate PSDP Projects
7. Deplorable Conduct in Legislatures
8. CCI approves National Electricity Policy 2021
9. Fauji Foundation, Army Welfare Trust and 11 other institutions / organizations exempted from Income Tax in the Finance Act 2021
10. Senate Standing Committee on Defence asks the Government to adhere to the 2012 recommendations of PCNS
11. Information Minister claims India involved in Anti Pakistan propaganda on Social media
12. CJP inaugurates Pakistan’s first Commercial court
13. IHC upholds Civil Servants (Directory Retirement from Service) Rules, 2020
14. PIC says information about Judiciary’s pension, perks, privileges and post-retirement benefits has to be made public
15. IHC issues stay order against the appointment of HEC Chairman
16. IHC sets aside appointments of NBP President and Chairman BoD
17. PM presides inaugural session of NICC
18. COAS receives Business Leaders
19. COAs says Armed Forces have unwavering support of people
20. Chairman Senate meets Foreign Dignitaries
21. Speaker National Assembly meets Foreign Dignitaries
22. Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries
23. Prime Minister and COAS interactions

PM warns Nation of Tough Time ahead in view of Afghanistan

Speaking in the National Assembly of Pakistan on June 30, Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan said that a “very tough time” is ahead for Pakistan in view of the situation in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US troops. ^[1]

Prime Minister said that the US finally recognised there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict. If Pakistan had a proactive and self-respecting government when US decided to use military force in Afghanistan, we should have told the US that it was wrong. Prime Minister said that General Pervez Musharraf’s regime had committed a blunder by siding with Americans which triggered the worst wave of terrorism in Pakistan causing death of 70,000 innocent citizens and over US $150 billion loss. On US orders, Pakistan Army was sent to tribal areas. US killed our people with drones and the people of tribal areas killed Army personnel and common citizens in reaction thus both ways our people died.

Earlier, on June 23 in an interview to the New York Times, Prime Minister said that the moment US gave an exit date from Afghanistan, the Taliban basically claimed victory. Pakistan’s ability to influence Taliban is diminishing as Taliban get stronger. Pakistan has been emphasizing to the Taliban that they should not go for a military victory because it would only lead to a protracted civil war. PM also pointed out that Pakistan has signed very good trade deals with the Central Asian republics, but we can only go there through Afghanistan and if there is a civil war, all that goes down the drain. He also said that Pakistan will do everything except use military action against the Taliban. Pakistan does not want conflict and another influx of refugees, said Mr. Khan.^[2]

In another interview to Axios on HBO on June 20, Prime Minister said that Pakistan would “absolutely not” allow any bases and use of its territory to the US for any sort of action inside Afghanistan. ^[3]

On June 7, the New York Times reported while US continues to focus on Pakistan for a military base in the region, some American officials believe the negotiations have reached an impasse for now. Reportedly, Mr. William J. Burns, CIA Director made an unannounced visit to Pakistan to meet General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff. Mr. Lloyd J. Austin, US Defence Secretary, has also has had frequent calls with the COAS about getting Pakistan’s help for future US operations in Afghanistan. Analysing Pakistan’s reluctance in offering a base to the US, the report notes that government in Islamabad is unlikely to sign off on any US strikes against the Taliban that are launched from a base in Pakistan. ^[4]

Soft Image of Pakistan only through promoting Pakistaniat: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan has said that a soft image of Pakistan can only be promoted through advocating “Pakistaniat” (which roughly translates into Pakistanism or Pakistani Nationalism) around the globe. He said that peaking English and wearing Western clothes does not project a soft image, it only speaks of an inferiority complex, he said. “A soft image is projected through self-reliance […] so first respect yourself and the world will respect you in turn,” said the Prime Minister. He was speaking at the Awards Ceremony of National Amateur Short Film Festival on June 26. ^[5]

Earlier on June 3, Prime Minister directed that all functions, meetings and other programmes, events, ceremonies to be arranged for him will be held in using Urdu language.^[6]

Rule of law, Accountability and Justice are vision of Pakistan: PM

Addressing the participants of the staff course at the Command and Staff College, Quetta on June 1, Prime Minister said that in his vision of Pakistan, rule of law, across the board accountability and justice are order of the day.

Prime Minister also said that Pakistan Army has produced unmatched results when pitched against its adversaries and successfully deterred the nefarious designs of Pakistan’s enemies. He also said that Pakistan’s defence is impregnable due to the professionalism of the battle-hardened armed forces of Pakistan. ^[7]

National Assembly passes Elections Amendment Bills

On June 11, the National Assembly passed The Election (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021 bypassing the rules of procedure amidst protest by the opposition parties which claimed that it was the first time in the country’s history that electoral reforms were being carried out without a national consensus.^[8]

Reportedly, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed alarm over the bills maintaining that it had already submitted its response to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, which approved the government amendments on June 8,^[9] but the ECP perspectives were not included in the bills. ^[10]

On June 30, while speaking in the National Assembly, Prime Minister invited the opposition parties to sit with the government on electoral reforms to hold ‘objection-free’ general elections. He said that time has come that we contest elections where no one worries about being defeated through rigging and the only solution is EVMs [electronic voting machines]. All that [post-voting] rigging period can be eliminated if result comes [immediately] after election.^[11]

Pakistan Stays on FATF Grey List

On June 25, the FATF announced that although Pakistan has made significant progress, showed stronger commitment and largely addressed 26 out of 27 action items it had committed in 2018 action plan, Pakistan will remain in the FATF grey list for at least another year. Pakistan also needs to deliver on seven new parallel action points to address deficiencies in its Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. Pakistan would need to complete the one remaining CFT-related item out of 27 by demonstrating that TF (terror financing) investigations and prosecutions targeting senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terrorist groups as well as the parallel six-point action plan given by the Asia Pacific Group (APG) have been implemented satisfactorily.

Addressing a news conference after the FATF announcement, Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Mr. Hammad Azhar, MNA, said that Pakistan would complete within three-four months the only remaining FATF target on speedy prosecution of the UN-designated terror groups’ leaders. He also said that the government had set a target to complete APG’s seven action points within 12 months (a target most jurisdictions achieve in two years).^[12]

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that ‘some forces’ were trying to maintain pressure on Pakistan by keeping it on the grey list of FATF.^[13]

The Pakistan Peoples Party has demanded a joint session of Parliament to discuss the situation of Pakistan remaining on the FATF grey list.^[14]

Federal Government to Monitor and Evaluate PSDP Projects

On June 15, the Federal Cabinet approved introducing a mechanism to monitor and evaluate development projects to be executed by provinces as well as the centre under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). ^[15]

Addressing a post-cabinet news conference, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting said that for fiscal year 2021-2022, Rs. 900 million PSDP has been proposed and a major chunk of it will be spent in Sindh both by provincial and federal government. A third-party evaluation of the development schemes will be conducted by any engineering firm as these firms will conduct periodic audit of the development schemes and utilisation of funds after every three months. These third party audits will be conducted not only in provinces but in the centre as well. He also said that the Federal government wants to know where funds have gone if there is no development in Karachi and even interior parts of Sindh.

The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the centre first receives income from provinces under different heads and then allocates these to the provinces as development funds. The allocation of resources by the centre, therefore, is not any “favour or mercy” on part of the federal government. Former Senator and PPP leader Mr. Farhatullah Babar said the audit of government funds is conducted by the auditor general of Pakistan and the Sindh government has always submitted itself thorough audit.

Deplorable Conduct in Legislatures

June 16 and 17 witnessed grievous conduct by elected representatives of the citizens in the National Assembly of Pakistan where instead of decent dialogue, members of treasury and the opposition benches resorted to fistfights, hurled heavy budget books at each other and resorted to profane, unparliamentary language to shout and abuse each other.

The ruckus began initially when the opposition disrupted the budget speech of Finance Minister on June 11. Later on June 15, treasury members including some of the senior ministers joined sloganeering, whistling and desk-thumping to disrupt the budget speech of Leader of the Opposition Mr. Shehbaz Sharif. While the Speaker suspended the proceedings a few times, the ruckus continued and the Speaker did not order removal of the unruly members from the house. ^[16] Later, Speaker National Assembly barred seven MNAs, including three from the PTI, from entering the House for disrupting the session during the speech of the Leader of the Opposition terming their behaviour as “unparliamentary” and “inappropriate.” ^[17]

Despite the shameful occurrences, no political party came forward to discipline or take action against their respective members even after their deplorable conduct for two consecutive days.

Much of the same ruckus was witnessed in Balochistan Assembly on June 18 as opposition members and their supporters blocked access to the Balochistan Assembly premises to prevent the presentation of the provincial budget for the new fiscal year on the grounds of unfair distribution of funds. The budget session was delayed as police personnel tried to clear the entry point to the Assembly. Shoes and other objects were thrown at Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan as he managed to enter the Assembly after two hours. ^[18]

Much the same reverberated across Sindh Assembly as MPAs came to blows during budget session and resorted to verbal insults. ^[19]

CCI approves National Electricity Policy 2021

In its 47th meeting held on June 22, the Council of Common Interests (CCI) approved with consensus the National Electricity Policy 2021. Reportedly, the policy approved guiding principles under which a number of sub-policies would be developed and made part of the overall national power plan. ^[20]

Reportedly, in the 46^th meeting of the CCI held on June 17, Federal Government and Sindh were not able to reach a consensus on the National Electricity Policy 2021, share in Indus water and development projects in Sindh funded by the Federal government. According to Dawn, Sindh had some 15 objections over the policy which had been addressed and the province’s demands would be incorporated in the draft policy. The Sindh government wanted that the 2015 tariff of Rs. 5-7 per unit on renewable energy produced in Sindh, especially wind energy, should be maintained (?). However, the Prime Minister believes a new tariff of around Rs. 3.50 per unit is to be introduced.^[21] A press release by the PMO stated that “it was decided to constitute a Committee to further deliberate upon the draft National Electricity Policy 2021” for the next CCI meeting. ^[22]

Fauji Foundation, Army Welfare Trust and 11 other institutions / organizations exempted from Income Tax in the Finance Act 2021

The Finance Act 2021 passed by the National Assembly on June 30 has exempted income of the Army Welfare Trust and Fauji Foundation from taxation. The exemption was inserted through an amendment to the Finance Bill by the government on June 29. ^[23]

On June 22, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance recommended exempting income of the Army Welfare Trust (AWT) from tax. Reportedly, PPP’s Senator Saleem Mandviwalla also backed the proposal to exempt the trust’s income. PTI’s Senator, Mr. Mohsin Aziz said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should publicize the criteria for exempting charitable and non-profit organizations from levy of the income tax. ^[24]

In addition to the AWT, the National Assembly has approved income tax exemptions for Islamic Naya Pakistan Certificate Company, Abdul Sattar Edhi Foundation, Indus Hospitals, Privatization Commission of Pakistan, Fauji Foundation, The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Sundas Foundation, Ali Zaib Foundation, Audit Oversight Board, Make a Wish Foundation and the Citizens Foundation. ^[25]

Senate Standing Committee on Defence asks the Government to adhere to the 2012 recommendations of PCNS

On June 29, the Senate Committee on Defence asked the government to adhere to the recommendations given in the 2012 report of Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) while setting the future course of ties with the United States. The directive was given during a meeting of the committee chaired by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed. A copy of the recommendations on US ties, which were unanimously approved by the Parliament on April 12, 2012, was sent by the Defence Committee to the Ministry of Defence with a note that these should be considered “Pakistan’s state policy guidelines.” ^[26]

Information Minister claims India involved in Anti Pakistan propaganda on Social media

On June 28, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Fawad Ahmed said in the National Assembly that during the recent protests by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on the blasphemy issue, more than 300,000 tweets originated from Indian city of Ahmedabad within three-and-a-half minutes. He also said that recently “info-lab” was detected through which 845 fake websites had been created that fed fake news against Pakistan to the international media.^[27]

CJP inaugurates Pakistan’s first Commercial court

On June 5, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Gulzar Ahmad, inaugurated the Pakistan’s first commercial court terming it crucial for progress of the country’s economy. The Commercial Court has been established through the Punjab Commercial Courts Ordinance of 2021 under ease-of-doing business reform framework to establish the commercial courts. ^[28]

IHC upholds Civil Servants (Directory Retirement from Service) Rules, 2020

On June 15, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) upheld the Civil Servants (Directory Retirement from Service) Rules, 2020 and dismissed three petitions challenging those. The court observed that is not a vested right of a civil servant to serve after completion of 20 years of service till age of superannuation. Instead, it depends upon the will of the competent authority or pleasure of the government as highlighted in Section 4 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973. Such discretion has to be regulated through a criteria mentioned in Rule 5 of the Civil Servants (Directory Retirement from Service) Rules, 2020.^[29]

Federal government had introduced the Civil Servants (Directory Retirement from Service) Rules, 2020 to get rid of ‘incompetent’ officers. The rules have enabled the retirement board/committee to prematurely retire those officers who earned average performance evaluation reports (PERs, formerly known as ACRs) or adverse remarks; twice recommended for supersession by the Central Selection Board, Departmental Selection Board or Departmental Promotion Board or twice not recommended for promotion by the high-powered selection board. The rules had reportedly created unrest among senior bureaucrats and some of them challenged the rules before the high courts and the apex court. Some of them even managed to secure restraining orders.

PIC says information about Judiciary’s pension, perks, privileges and post-retirement benefits has to be made public

On June 2, the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) declared that information about judges’ pension, perks, privileges and post-retirement benefits, including plots allotted in government schemes, falls in the category of public information and needs be provided to the public. ^[30]

The PIC order was given on a petition moved by over 30 activists of the Women Action Forum from all over the country who had earlier been denied it. The order has said the exercise of constitutional right of citizens to seek information under the RTI law did not amount to curtailing independence of judiciary nor it amounted to executive oversight of the judiciary. About the declaration of assets of judges and their family members, the PIC order said it was for the Parliament to enact legislation and not for the PIC.

IHC issues stay order against the appointment of HEC Chairman

On June 2, IHC Chief Justice, Mr. Athar Minallah, issued a stay order against the appointment of the new chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The order was issued responding to a petition filed by a number of eminent academicians, right activists and scholars against the promulgation of HEC Ordinance that reduced the term of chairman from four to two years and ‘curbed’ its autonomy. The court restrained the Federal Government from appointing a new HEC chairman. ^[31]

IHC sets aside appointments of NBP President and Chairman BoD

On June 29, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) set aside appointments of president of the National Bank of Pakistan, Mr. Arif Usmani and chairman of board of directors, Mr. Zubair Soomro stating that these appointments had been made in violation of the law as it was necessary to issue advertisement for appointment of the board chairman under the law.^[32]

On June 11, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had reserved the verdict on a petition challenging the January 12, 2019 notification of these appointments. The petition had maintained that Mr. Usmani did not meet the education criteria set for the post in the advertisement issued in this regard and his appointment was in violation of rules and laws of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

Taking to twitter, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting said that judicial reforms are imperative to save Pakistan from economic disaster. “My head is spinning since yesterday after the banning of TikTok and removal of President National Bank of Pakistan, to see what our courts were doing,” he tweeted. ^[33]

PM presides inaugural session of NICC

On June 23, Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan presided over the inaugural session of National Intelligence Coordination Committee (NICC) at the ISI headquarters. PM was joined by Federal Ministers of Interior and Information and Broadcasting, in addition to heads of the services’ intelligence agencies, Intelligence Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency. ^[34]

According to the PMO, Prime Minister appreciated the ongoing efforts and expressed satisfaction over the performance of National Intelligence Coordination Committee. ^[35]

On January 22, the Government had notified the NICC and placed DG ISI as convener of the NICC, whereas a senior official of the IB would serve as its secretary. Officers from the ISI are expected to initially provide the secretarial support for the new body. However, a security official said a separate secretariat would be subsequently set up.

COAS receives Business Leaders

On June 09, Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, received a delegation of members of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). Reportedly, the COAS appreciated the role of business community in economic uplift of Pakistan and affirmed the Pakistan Army’s complete support to them.^[36]

COAS says Armed Forces have unwavering support of people

Addressing the National Security and War Course at the National Defence University on June 30, Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that forces that wished to undermine the unbreakable bond between the armed forces and the nation were bound to fail. He also said that a well-equipped, trained and motivated army having unwavering support of its people could surmount any challenge. ^[37]

Chairman Senate meets Foreign Dignitaries

1. On June 1, Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Senator Sadiq Sanjrani, met with Sheikh Ali Abdullah Thani Al Thani, Member of the Qatar’s Royal Family at the Parliament House.^[38]
2. On June 3, Chairman Senate met with Mr. Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan at the Parliament House.^[39]
3. On June 5, Speaker of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova called on Chairman Senate. ^[40]
4. On June 7, Chairman Senate visited residence of the Chinese Ambassador.^[41]
5. On June 14, Mr. Zhang Baozhong, Chairman China Overseas Ports Holding Company Limited (COPHC) called on Chairman Senate.^[42]

Speaker National Assembly meets Foreign Dignitaries

1. On June 2, Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli, Republic of Tajikstan along with Tajikistan Parliamentary delegation called on Speaker National Assembly on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Assembly of Economic Cooperation Organization (PAECO) Conference.^[43]
2. On June 21, Speaker of Milli Majlis Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova spoke telephonically with Speaker National Assembly.^[44]
3. On June 28, 2021, Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, called on the Honourable Speaker at the Parliament House.^[45]

Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries

1. On June 2, Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Thani J Al Thani, Chairman of Pakistan-Qatar Takaful Insurance Company and Member of the Ruling Family of State of Qatar, called on Chief of Army Staff at the GHQ.^[46]
2. On June 09, Mr. Nong Rong, Ambassador of China to Pakistan, called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff, at the GHQ. ^[47]
3. On June 10, Mr. Christopher Elias, chair of Polio Oversight Board, Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and President of Global Development Programme, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, called on the COAS. ^[48]
4. On June 21, Chief of Army Staff, on a two day visit to Republic of Azerbaijan, called on Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Colonel General Hasanov Mr. Zakir Asgar Oglu, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan at Baku.^[49]
5. On June 23, Chief of Army Staff met Turkey’s Minister of National Defence, Mr. Hulusi Akar during his day long visit to Turkey.^[50]
6. On June 24, Chief of Army Staff, on his official visit to Germany, called on Chief of Defence German Army, General Eberhard Zorn.^[51]
7. On June 29, Chief of Army Staff discussed key issues with Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, Gen Claudio Graziano, via video call.^[52]

Prime Minister and COAS interactions

According to the media reports, during June 2021, Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa met once. On June 1, PM met COAS at Command and Staff College, Quetta during his address at the college.^[53]

References

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33. Dawn (2021) Judicial reforms vital to save country from economic crisis, says minister. Available at https://www.dawn.com/news/1632454/judicial-reforms-vital-to-save-country-from-economic-crisis-says-minister. (Accessed 08 July 2021) ↑
34. Dawn (2021) Intelligence coordination body becomes functional, finally. Available at https://www.dawn.com/news/1631116. (Accessed 24 June, 2021) ↑
35. PMO (2021) A special meeting of recently established “National Intelligence Coordination Committee” was chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan at Inter-Services Intelligence Secretariat Islamabad. Available at https://pmo.gov.pk/press_release_detailes.php?pr_id=3420. (Accessed 08 July 2021) ↑
36. The News (2021) General Qamar Javed Bajwa affirms support to business community. Available at https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/847438-coas-affirms-support-to-business-community. (Accessed 08 July 2021) ↑
37. ISPR (2021) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. Available at https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6217. (Accessed 08 July 2021) ↑
38. Senate of Pakistan (2021) Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Exchanging Views With Sheikh Ali Abdullah Thani Al Thani, Member Of The Qatar’s Royal Family. Available at http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3895. (Accessed 01 June, 2021) ↑
39. Senate of Pakistan (2021) Economic and Trade Ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan Needs to be Enhance through Diversification and Value Addition; Sanjrani. Available at http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3900. (Accessed 3 June, 2021) ↑
40. Dawn (2021) Sanjrani calls for enhancing cooperation with Azerbaijan. Available at https://www.dawn.com/news/1627767/sanjrani-calls-for-enhancing-cooperation-with-azerbaijan. (Accessed 6 June, 2021) ↑
41. Senate of Pakistan (2021) Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani visits residence of the Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong. Available at http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3906. Accessed 7 June, 2021) ↑
42. Senate of Pakistan (2021) Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Exchanging Views With Mr. Zhang Baozhong, Chairman COPHC. Available at http://www.senate.gov.pk/en/news_content.php?id=3911. (Accessed 14 June, 2021) ↑
43. National Assembly of Pakistan (2021) Pakistan And Tajikistan Agree To Enhance Parliamentary Cooperation For Increasing Trade & Connectivity; Stresses For Establishment Of Air Links Between Islamabad And Dushanbe: NA Speaker – June 3, 2021. Available at Pakistan And Tajikistan Agree To Enhance Parliamentary Cooperation For Increasing Trade & Connectivity ; Stresses For Establishment Of Air Links Between Islamabad And Dushanbe: NA Speaker – June 3, 2021. (Accessed 3 June, 2021) ↑
44. The News (2021) Azerbaijan-Pakistan-Turkey: NA speaker hails Azerbaijan’s initiative for establishing cooperation platform. Available at https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/853257-azerbaijan-pakistan-turkey-na-speaker-hails-azerbaijan-s-initiative-for-establishing-cooperation-platform. (Accessed 22 June, 2021) ↑
45. National Assembly of Pakistan (2021) Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki called on Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser in Parliament House, today. – June 28, 2021. Available at http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1624891101_736.pdf. (Accessed 28 June, 2021) ↑
46. The News (2021) COAS visits exercise area near Kotli. Available at https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/843972-coas-visits-exercise-area-near-kotli. (Accessed 3 June, 2021) ↑
47. ISPR (2021) His Excellency Mr Nong Rong, Ambassador of China to Pakistan called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), today. Available at https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6186. (Accessed 09 June, 2021) ↑
48. Dawn (2021) COAS lauds Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s efforts for polio eradication. Available at https://www.dawn.com/news/1628690. (Accessed 11 June, 2021) ↑
49. ISPR (2021) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on a two days long official visit to Republic of Azerbaijan called on His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and His Excellency Colonel General Hasanov Zakir Asgar Oglu, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan at Baku, today. Available at https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6199. (Accessed 21 June, 2021) ↑
50. Dawn (2021) Enhanced ties with Turkey to have positive impact on peace: Bajwa. Available at https://www.dawn.com/news/1631133. (Accessed 24 June, 2021) ↑
51. Express Tribune (2021) Pakistan, Germany vow to enhance ‘defence, security ties at all levels’. Available at https://tribune.com.pk/story/2307246/pakistan-germany-vow-to-enhance-defence-security-ties-at-all-levels. (Accessed 25 June, 2021) ↑
52. Dawn (2021) Gen Bajwa, EU official discuss key issues. Available at https://www.dawn.com/news/1632215/gen-bajwa-eu-official-discuss-key-issues. (Accessed 30 June, 2021) ↑
53. Dawn (2021) Pakistan out of economic hardship, says PM. Available at https://www.dawn.com/news/1626961/pakistan-out-of-economic-hardship-says-pm. (Accessed 1 June, 2021) ↑