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.
- Special Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC)
- National Security Committee (NSC) convened
- COAS promoted to the rank of Field Marshal
- Second Extension for Air Chief
- 270th Corps Commanders’ Conference
- Field Marshal emphasizes a strong Pakistan where all institutions operate under the Constitution and law
- PM visits Command and Staff College
- Prime Minister’s Interactions with COAS
- Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries
Special Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC)
On May 02, Special Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) was held under the chairmanship of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir at GHQ. The Forum reaffirmed the resolve of the Pakistan Armed Forces to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan. Strong condemnation of Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), especially following the Pahalgam incident, were raised in the forum. The forum also condemned the targeting of civilians along the LoC, labelling it as inhumane and escalatory. The forum noted a pattern of India exploiting crises (e.g., Pulwama 2019) to justify unilateral actions, such as revoking Article 370. The Pahalgam incident seen as a diversion tactic aimed at undermining Pakistan’s gains on its western front and economic front. Forum raised alarm over India’s efforts to manipulate the Indus Waters Treaty, accusing India of attempting to weaponize water and warned this threatens the livelihood of over 240 million Pakistanis and contributes to strategic instability in South Asia. Forum expressed concern over credible evidence of Indian military and intelligence orchestration of terrorist activities inside Pakistan.[1]
National Security Committee (NSC) convened
On May 07, National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, convened to address India’s unprovoked and unlawful strikes on Pakistani territory during the night of May 6/7, 2025. COAS General Asim Munir also joined the session. NSC strongly condemned India’s coordinated missile, air, and drone attacks on multiple civilian areas in Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad. These attacks, based on fabricated claims of terrorist camps, resulted in civilian casualties, damage to infrastructure including mosques, and endangered international flights, while also deliberately targeting the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project in clear violation of international norms. The NSC dismissed India’s allegations and recalled Pakistan’s earlier offer for a transparent investigation, which India ignored. NSC reaffirmed that under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan retains its right to respond in self-defense at a time and manner of its choosing, with the Armed Forces authorized to take appropriate action. NSC called on the international community to hold India accountable and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace, dignity, and the protection of its sovereignty and people.[2]
COAS promoted to the rank of Field Marshal
On May 20, the Pakistani government promoted COAS General Asim Munir to the ceremonial rank of Field Marshal, the first such elevation since 1959, in recognition of his leadership during the recent conflict with India. Although the Field Marshal rank is purely ceremonial and holds no operational authority, analysts suggest it may bolster Munir’s political and symbolic influence. On May 22, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally presented General Asim Munir with the Field Marshal baton during a ceremony attended by federal ministers, top political leaders, military officials, diplomats, and others—although KP’s Chief Minister was absent. The move has sparked debate over its legal standing and implications for Pakistan’s civil-military balance and international image.[3]
Second Extension for Air Chief
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu has been granted a second extension in his tenure. His current extension was set to expire in March, but the government decided to retain his services in light of his critical leadership during Operation Bunyanum Mursoos from May 7 to 10, which was deemed a significant success for the Pakistan Air Force. The decision to extend his tenure also highlights the government’s recognition of his steady command, operational effectiveness, and strategic acumen in strengthening the country’s air defense capabilities during a sensitive period.[4]
270th Corps Commanders’ Conference
On May 22, in the wake of rising regional tensions and the tragic school bus bombing in Khuzdar, the Pakistan Army’s top leadership, under Field Marshal General Asim Munir, convened an emergency 270th Corps Commanders’ Conference to review national security. The forum, held at GHQ in Rawalpindi, vowed to pursue all terrorism facilitators and proxies with unwavering resolve, accusing India of employing covert tactics after recent military setbacks. The commanders condemned the Khuzdar attack, which claimed seven lives, including schoolchildren, as a barbaric act attributed to India-backed elements, and signalled an intensified counter-terrorism campaign, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The forum lauded the success of Operations Bunyanum Mursoos and Marka-i-Haq and praised the armed forces’ precision and restraint during recent hostilities. A review of the fragile post-May 10 ceasefire and troop deployments along the eastern frontier was also conducted. Expressing deep concern over human rights abuses in Indian-occupied Kashmir, the generals called for international intervention.[5]
Field Marshal emphasizes a strong Pakistan where all institutions operate under the Constitution and law
On May 29, Field Marshal General Asim Munir addressed education leaders, stating that water is a red line for Pakistan and the fundamental right of 240 million citizens. He credited his teachers and parents for his own success and stressed national unity as an unbreakable shield. Munir declared no compromise on Kashmir, rejecting India’s dominance and highlighting India’s failure to suppress Kashmir’s voice. He added that terrorism in India stems from discrimination against minorities, and Balochistan’s terrorists are Indian-sponsored. He urged building a strong Pakistan, free from political pressure, where all institutions operate under the law and for the people’s welfare, strongly warning against any challenge to the state’s narrative.[6]
PM visits Command and Staff College
On May 31, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited Command & Staff College Quetta, and addressed the faculty and graduating officers. The Prime Minister was received by the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M). PM Sharif commended the outstanding performance of the Pakistan Armed Forces during Bunyanum Mursoos and praised the sacrifice of the Armed Forces in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces in their mission to protect the nation.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the need for continued synergy between all elements of national power in addressing challenges and pursuit of national interests. He said that India, after having suffered a humiliating defeat during Ma’rka-e-Haq, has now intensified its campaign of terrorism inside Pakistan through its proxies. He resolved that all such nefarious and ill designs of India and its proxy Fitna al Hindustan will be defeated by the Pakistani nation.[7]
Prime Minister’s Interactions with Chief Of Army Staff
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir met 17 times during May 2025:
- May 07: NSC Meeting.[8]
- May 07: Funeral of Irtaza Abbas, son of Lt Col Zaheer Abbas Turi. [9]
- May 12: Visit to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi to inquire after the well-being of soldiers and civilians wounded during Marka i Haq / Operation Bunyanum Mursoos.
- May 14: Visit to Pasrur forward areas, Sialkot, to commend professionalism of the troops during Operation Bunyanum Mursoos. [10]
- May 16: Ceremony marking the Youm-i-Tashakur in Islamabad. [11]
- May 16: Visit to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi to inquire after the well-being of soldiers and civilians wounded during Marka i Haq / Operation Bunyanum Mursoos.[12]
- May 16: Visit to offer condolences to the family of Shaheed Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf at his residence in Rawalpindi. [13]
- May 19: Visit to Pakistan Naval Dockyard, Karachi. [14]
- May 21: Visit to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Quetta to visit injured school children targeted in the school van in Khuzdar, Balochistan. [15]
- May 22: Decoration ceremony of COAS with the rank of Field Marshal at the Presidency, Islamabad. [16]
- May 25: Dinner to honour the political leadership and armed forces during Marka-i-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. [17]
- May 25: Meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkiye.[18]
- May 26: Meeting with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and His Eminence Sayyed Ali Khamenei at a reception hosted at the Sa’dabad Palace in Tehran, Iran.[19]
- May 27: Meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev at Lachin, Azerbaijan.[20]
- May 28: Met at a high-level trilateral summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan[21]
- May 28: Met at lunch reception given by President of Azerbaijan at Lachin, Azerbaijan[22]
- May 31: Visit to Command and Staff College, Quetta. [23]
Interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries
During May 2025, there were 7 meetings of General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) with foreign dignitaries.
- May 05: Met Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, at GHQ, Rawalpindi.[24]
- May 25: Met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkiye.[25]
- May 26: Met Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and His Eminence Sayyed Ali Khamenei at a reception hosted at the Sa’dabad Palace in Tehran, Iran.[26]
- May 27: Met Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces at General Staff Headquarters, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.[27]
- May 27: Met Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev at Lachin, Azerbaijan.[28]
- May 28: Met Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defence, Colonel General Hasanov Zakir Asgar Oglu, in Lachin, Azerbaijan.[29]
- May 28: Met Presidents of Turkiye and Azerbaijan at Lunch reception hosted by President of Azerbaijan at Lachin, Azerbaijan.[30]