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.
- US President throws a red carpet welcome for PM Shahbaz Sharif and FM Syed Asim Munir
- Prime Minister says he consults Field Marshal on every issue
- Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enter into a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement
- Chief of Army Staff (COAS) extension to be decided in 2027
- Prime Minister’s publicly reported Interactions with the COAS
- Publicly reported interactions of COAS with Foreign Dignitaries
US President throws a red carpet welcome for PM Shahbaz Sharif and FM Syed Asim Munir
On September 25, The US President, Mr. Donald Trump, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Field Marshal, Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at the Oval Office. Mr. Trump praised both the leaders, calling Field Marshal Asim Munir an outstanding personality and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a remarkable individual. US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also present within the session. The Prime Minister and Field Marshal were received with a red-carpet welcome at Andrews Air Base by a senior officer of the US Air Force.. 
Meeting was held in a pleasant atmosphere with both PM Shehbaz and FM Asim Munir cordially exchanged views with Mr. Trump. Although the media was not briefed immediately after the meeting as is customary in many such meetings, the information that filtered in through various official channels suggested that this was no mere photo-op. For Pakistan, Oval Office meeting also provided a reminder that Pakistan retains relevance in Washington’s strategic thinking. For Mr. Trump, the session offered another stage to cast himself as a peacemaker. President Trump, who has been insistent on claiming credit (more than 3o times) for taking India and Pakistan back from the brink in May 2025, has been campaigning for a Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomacy. Pakistan has been happy to credit the US president as the main peacemaker and also nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.[1] On September 29, while speaking with UK-based Pakistani journalists, PM Shahbaz Sharif described the conversation with President Trump as very pleasant and reaffirmed a commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations. [2]
Prime Minister says he consults Field Marshal on every issue
On September 29, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking with London-based Pakistani journalists, said that he and Field Marshal, Syed Asim Munir consult each other on all major national issues. Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister for Information, Mr. Attaullah Tarar were also present. He stated that Pakistan’s political and military leadership is aligned on key matters, including foreign policy, and that consultations are also held on the economic situation. PM Sharif also recalled the lesson the Pakistani Army taught India on May 10, 2025 praising the bravery of Pakistani troops under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He described his visits to New York and Washington as very successful and productive, welcoming the meeting of selected Muslim and Arab Leaders including Pakistan PM, on Gaza chaired by US President Trump on the sidelines of UN General Assembly meeting.[3]
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enter into a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement
On September 17, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement’, under which any aggression against one state will be considered an attack on both. The Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince HRH Mohammad Bin Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh in the presence of the Pakistani COAS, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The joint statement, issued by Islamabad and Riyadh said the agreement reflected the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieve security and promote peace in the region and the world. Statement further highlighted that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against the both”. A high-level delegation accompanied PM Shehbaz, including COAS Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, and PM’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. The agreement apparently gained urgency amid regional instability, securing vital Saudi investment for Pakistan and reinforcing its role as a pan-Islamic security provider.[4]
COAS extension to be decided in 2027
On September 04, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan said that the question of extension in the army chief’s tenure will arise and be decided in 2027. Talking to the media outside the Punjab Assembly, he said that the current tenure of the army chief, Field Marshal, Syed Asim Munir, will end in 2027 and a decision whether to extend it or not will be taken at that time adding army chief’s term initially comprised four years, was later reduced to three years and recently it was extended to five years. Mr. Sanaullah alleged that attempts to incite people to start a civil war in the country were made on May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024 adding that such conspiracies would not be tolerated and must be stopped at all costs, regardless of who is involved.[5]
Prime Minister’s Interactions with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
During September 2025, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) met 4 times:
- On September 03, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) met during the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing, China.[6]
- On September 09, the PM and the COAS met at the funeral prayers of Major Adnan Aslam Shaheed.[7]
- On September 17, the PM and the COAS met with Saudi Crown Prince HRH Prince Mohammad Bin Salman at signing of ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement’.[8]
- On September 25, the PM and the COAS met during a meeting with the US President Mr. Donald Trump at the Oval office, USA.[9]
Interactions of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) with Foreign Dignitaries
During September 2025, there were 3 meetings of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) with foreign dignitaries.
- On September 03, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China.[10]
- On September 17, the COAS met with Saudi Crown Prince HRH Mohammad Bin Salman at the signing of ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement’.[11]
- On September 25, the COAS met with US President Mr. Donald Trump, at the Oval office.[12]