Update on The Performance of Democratic Institutions | March 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. PM Chairs high level meeting to review internal and regional security situation
  2. Field Marshal interacts with Ulema of Ahl-e-Tasheeh community
  3. Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership emphasise need for stronger institutional coordination
  4. PM and President chairs high level meeting
  5. Field Marshal calls US President as Pakistan becomes ‘pivotal’ mediator in Iran US war
  6. Prime Minister’s Interactions with Field Marshal, COAS & CDF
  7. Interactions of Field Marshal, COAS & CDF with Foreign Dignitaries

PM Chairs high level meeting to review internal and regional security situation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a high-level meeting, attended by CDF Asim Munir and others, on the prevaling security situation.—APP On March 1, Prime Min­ister, Mian Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting to review the internal and regional security situation. The meeting covered the Iran-USA-Israel conflict, Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace, and the situation in Afghanistan and alongside the Pakistan-Afghan border. On the Prime Minister’s instructions, measures to evacuate Pakistani citizens from Iran through Azerbaijan were also reviewed. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar; Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) & Chief of Defence Forces (CDF); Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning; Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, Interior Minister; Mr. Nazeer Tarar, Law Minister; Mr. Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment; Mr. Attaullah Tarar, Information Minister; Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, Petroleum Minister; Mr. Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the PM and other senior civil and military officials attended the meeting. The Prime Minister also cancelled his official visit to Russia, originally scheduled from March 3 to 5, 2026, which was of “great significance” for advancing bilateral relation, due to the current turmoil in the Middle East.[1]

Field Marshal interacts with Shia Ulema

On March 19, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, COAS & CDF, met with the Ulema of Ahl-e-Tasheeh community at Rawalpindi to discuss national security and role of religious leaders in promoting societal harmony. The Field Marshal highlighted Ulema’s vital role in fostering unity, tolerance and national cohesion, particularly in countering misinformation, sectarian narratives and externally sponsored destabilization efforts. Referring to Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, he emphasised that Pakistan will not tolerate use of Afghan soil for terrorism against its people, and reaffirmed the resolve to eliminate terrorists and their infrastructure through precise, intelligence-based operations. He also underscored Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy in seeking regional de-escalation amid Iran-Israel conflict and stressed that religious sentiments must not be exploited to incite violence. Violence in Pakistan based on incidents abroad will not be tolerated, he said. The Ulema expressed their support for peace, stability, and condemned violence in the name of religion in strongest terms.[2]

Advertisement

Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership emphasise need for stronger institutional coordination

President Asif Ali Zardari chairs a high-level meeting on the economy, energy, and regional situation at Aiwan-e-Sadr on March 26, 2026, alongside Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Islamabad. | Photo: PTV X On March 25, Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership emphasised the need for national consensus and stronger institutional coordination to address emerging regional security and economic challenges arising from the US-Iran-Israel conflict. The meeting was chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr and was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, COAS & CDF, along with senior cabinet members and officials including Mr. Ishaq Dar, Deputy PM, Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, Interior Minister and Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Since Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari doesn’t have an official position in the government, it is presumed that he was attending on special invitation. The meeting reviewed global energy supply fluctuations and their economic impact, focusing on inflation control and energy security. Officials also briefed on stabilising fuel prices and maintaining fiscal discipline. Broader regional developments, including their implications for security, economic stability and food security, were also discussed. Participants agreed that economic, energy and security policies must remain coordinated to address ongoing challenges, The leadership stressed on maintaining stability while protecting public interest and highlighted the need for campaigns to promote energy conservation, public transport, and share-ride systems.[3]

PM and President chair high level meeting

On March 30, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting to review fuel supply amid the global crisis, assuring that adequate fuel stocks were available to meet the country’s needs, with arrangements for the future underway. President Zardari advised that amid oil and gas supply pressures, escalating energy costs, and the evolving regional environment, all possible measures should be taken to ease the burden of rising prices on the common man, especially for essential goods and services. He emphasized coordinated decision-making across economic, energy, food security and security planning. The meeting also reviewed the broader regional situation and its potential effects on Pakistan’s security environment, economic outlook, and food security. Chief Executives of all provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), participated in the consultative meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Other participants included Defence Minister Khawaja Asif; Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi; National Security Adviser and Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik; Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb; Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar; Law Minister, Nazeer Tarar; Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal; Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik and Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment, Ahad Khan Cheema. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman PPPP also attended – presumably on special invitation as he doesn’t hold an official position in the Government.[4]

Field Marshal calls US President as Pakistan becomes ‘pivotal’ mediator in Iran US war

Trump once again praises Field Marshal Asim Munir, calls him 'a good man' On March 22, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, COAS & CDF reportedly spoke with US President, Donald Trump about the ongoing Iran-US war, which escalated on February 28, 2026, when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran. The call was later confirmed by the White House. According to Financial Times, Pakistan “is positioning itself as the lead mediator trying to broker an end to the US’s and Israel’s war against Iran, using Munir’s “ties to Tehran and warm” relationship with US President Trump. On March 23, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing solidarity with the Iranian people and calling for collective efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East. Senior Pakistani Officials were back-channelling communications between Tehran and US envoys, including Steve Witkoff, United States Special Envoy to the Middle East and Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the US President, with Islamabad propsed as avenue for the potential direct or indirect talks. Pakistan’s leadership has been in constant contact with the Gulf counterparts, while Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar coordinated with regional ministers especially Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing dialogue to ensure peace, security, and stability in the region.[5] Iranian Missile and drone strikes have caused damage across Israel, the Gulf, Jorda, and Iraq, while Iran has suffered causalities, reportedly including its leader Ali Khamenei. On March 26, Witkoff, US Special Envoy to the Middle East told a US cabinet meeting that Tehran was showing “strong signs” of readiness to negotiate, confirming Washington had passed a 15-point “action list” to Tehran through Pakistani intermediaries.[6] On March 29, President Trump said indirect negotiations facilitated by Pakistan were making “positive progress” and a deal could be reached soon. Pakistan also indicated it could host direct talks for a lasting settlement. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar concluded a four-country meeting at Islamabad emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy as the only path to ending hostilities, with foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt participating. Discussions included managing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.[7] On March 30, President Trump warned that Iran’s energy and desalination infrastructure would be destroyed if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, while noting progress in negotiations. On March 31, he stated that the US would withdraw within weeks once Iran’s nuclear capability was neutralized. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s willingness to end hostilities provided guarantees are provided that the conflict would not flare up again.[8]

Prime Minister’s Interactions with the COAS/CDF

During March 2026, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) met thrice:

  1. On March 1, at the PMO, Islamabad, to discuss the internal and regional security situation.[9]
  2. On March 13, during a session with His Excellency Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia..[10]
  3. On March 25, at Aiwan-e-Sadr during a top civilian and military leadership meeting.[11]

Foreign Dignitaries’ interaction with the COAS/CDF

COAS pick: Lt Gen Asim Munir — a brief profile
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF)

During March 2026, there were 2 meetings of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, COAS and CDF with foreign dignitaries.

References

  1. HRH Prince Khalid Bin Salman, the Defence Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 07, 2026 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[12]
  2. His Excellency Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on March 13, 2026 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[13]
  1. “PM cancels Russia visit, takes stock of security situation,” Dawn online, March 2, 2026, accessed March 6, 2026. https://www.dawn.com/news/1977283/pm-cancels-russia-visit-takes-stock-of-security-situation ↑
  2. “Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI, M, HJ, COAS & CDF, interacted with Ulema of Ahl-e-Tasheeh community at Rawalpindi where matters of national security and role of Ulema in societal harmony came under discussion,” ISPR online, March 19, 2026, accessed March 21, 2026. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7640 ↑
  3. “Pakistan stresses coordinated economic, energy response amid regional tensions,” Express Tribune online, March 26, 2026, accessed March 28, 2026. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599399/pakistan-stresses-coordinated-economic-energy-response-amid-regional-tensions ↑
  4. “President Zardari, PM Shehbaz assure adequate fuel stocks currently available to meet country’s needs,” Express Tribune online, March 30, 2026, accessed March 30, 2026. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2600101/presidential-meeting-to-review-middle-east-situation-pakistans-mediation-role-today ↑
  5. Saadat Gokce, “Pakistan army chief Munir spoke to Trump about Iran war: Report,” Anadolu Ajansı online, March 23, 2026, accessed March 25, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-army-chief-munir-spoke-to-trump-about-iran-war-report/3876410 ↑
  6. “US envoy Witkoff says ‘strong signs’ Tehran ready to negotiate,” Arab News online, March 27, 2026, accessed March 28, 2026. https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2637833/middle-east ↑
  7. “Trump claims progress in indirect Iran talks via Pakistan; Declines to share specific details: Financial Times,” The Tribune online, March 30, 2026, accessed March 30, 2026. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/usa-news/trump-claims-progress-in-indirect-iran-talks-via-pakistan-declines-to-share-specific-details-financial-times/ ↑
  8. “Trump says US will ‘leave’ Iran in two or three weeks whether ‘we have a deal or not’,” BBC online, March 31, 2026, accessed April 1, 2026. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c36r5p1l7w3t ↑
  9. “PM cancels Russia visit, takes stock of security situation,” Dawn online, March 2, 2026, accessed March 6, 2026. https://www.dawn.com/news/1977283/pm-cancels-russia-visit-takes-stock-of-security-situation ↑
  10. Syed Irfan Raza, “PM and MBS agree to work towards regional peace,” ISPR online, March 13, 2026, accessed March 15, 2026. https://www.dawn.com/news/1981543/pm-and-mbs-agree-to-work-towards-regional-peace ↑
  11. “Pakistan stresses coordinated economic, energy response amid regional tensions,” Express Tribune online, March 26, 2026, accessed March 28, 2026. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599399/pakistan-stresses-coordinated-economic-energy-response-amid-regional-tensions ↑
  12. “Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited KSA and met with HRH Prince Khalid Bin Salman, the Defence Minister of Kingdom,” ISPR online, March 07, 2026, accessed March 15, 2026. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=7635 ↑
  13. Syed Irfan Raza, “PM and MBS agree to work towards regional peace,” ISPR online, March 13, 2026, accessed March 15, 2026. https://www.dawn.com/news/1981543/pm-and-mbs-agree-to-work-towards-regional-peace ↑