Photo : Thenews.pk
NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Thenews.pk
In Focus
Questions over Imran Khan’s health; his son demands proof of life
Despite the court orders, the party and family are not allowed to meet
On 28 November, media reports questioned Imran Khan's health. PTI claimed that it had exhausted all legal and constitutional options, and despite a court order permitting KP’s newly elected Chief Minister to meet Imran Khan, the authorities had not allowed the KP CM to meet the party leader for the eighth time. Even the legal team was not granted access.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, head of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), also attended the protest and stated that the KP CM’s protest reflected the voice of democratic Pashtuns who believed in constitutional rights. He asserted that since the court had put it in writing, the KP CM must be granted a meeting with Imran Khan. The KP CM eventually ended the 16-hour protest and met the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, planning to file a petition seeking permission to meet the PTI founder. He warned that “if courts do not ensure implementation of their own directives, it would amount to the rule of the jungle in the country,” while also raising concerns over the fourth postponement of the NFC session.
PTI also staged a protest after the question hour during the Senate session, asserting that preventing lawyers and doctors from meeting Imran Khan was a violation of basic human rights, court orders, and the jail manual. Several reports claimed that Imran Khan had been transferred to a high-security facility and was in poor health.
Imran Khan’s son also demanded proof of life, enforced court-ordered access, and called on the international community and global human rights organisations to intervene to end what he described as inhumane isolation. However, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on political affairs stated that Imran Khan’s health was being taken care of and confirmed that he remained in Adiala jail.
The KP CM’s delegation demanded a written explanation from Adiala jail authorities for repeatedly denying permission for the meeting, while PTI activists sought assurances regarding the founder’s health. However, none of these demands materialised during talks with Adiala jail officials. PTI reiterated that it would not compromise on issues concerning the founder’s health or the disrespect shown to the KP CM, warning that nationwide sit-ins could follow if the situation persisted. (“KP CM ends Adiala Road sit-in, says no update provided on jailed Imran's health,” The News International, 28 November 2025; Govt & PTI men assure ‘all well with Imran’,” Dawn, 28 November 2025; K-P CM continues sit-in outside Adiala Jail after visit to PTI founder denied again,” The Express Tribune, 28 November 2025)
Plea against 27th Amendment filed in the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC)
On 27 November, Advocate Muhammad Shoaib moved a petition in the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to strike down the 27th Amendment, the very law that created the court. Similar pleas have been filed before high courts and the Federal Shariat Court, but this marks the first time the FCC has been approached regarding the Amendment that first created it. Filed under Article 175E of the Constitution, the plea argues that the Amendment was passed with a “malicious design to establish one-man rule” by undermining the Constitution. It went further to say that the creation of the FCC was against the fundamental principles enshrined in the 1973 Constitution. It also claimed that the federal government was being exploited by certain individuals with vested interests and the country was now going through a “power-sharing crisis”. It added that the Amendment was a clear violation of Article 227 of the Constitution, as it grants immunity from all criminal liability to the highest officials of the country. It also contended that the newly-introduced Article 175E would clash with Article 185 of the Constitution since a separate appellate system had been created, leading to one set of appeals filed before the Supreme Court and another before the FCC. “Therefore, the FCCP should play its role by striking down the 27th Amendment in the interest of justice,” it added.
On 12 November, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed the controversial Amendment with a two-thirds majority, which created the new position of the Chief of Defence Forces and the FCC. The Amendment was signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari on 13 November. The Amendment makes significant changes to the judicial system, the military’s chain of command and grants full immunity to the highest ranking government officials. The FCC was established as the apex court, while the Supreme Court was reduced to the final appellate court for civil and criminal matters. All matters of a constitutional nature will be heard by the FCC. The chief justice and all judges of the FCC would be picked by the Prime Minister and President, and the FCC would not be bound by the decades-long jurisprudence of the Supreme Court. The Amendment also grants lifetime immunity to the President and anyone holding the ranks of Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Air Force. The army chief will be the Chief of Defence Forces, while the Field Marshal will retain his rank, privileges and uniform for life. (“Federal Constitutional Court moved against law that created it,” Dawn, 28 November 2025)
IN BRIEF
POLITICS
Five more PML-N members take oath in the National Assembly following by-election victories
On 27 November, the ruling PML-N added five more members to its ranks in the National Assembly (NA), following their victories in the recent by-elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s constituencies. Daniyal Ahmed, Muhammad Noman, Mehmood Qadir, Babar Nawaz, and Muhammad Tufail took their oath in the National Assembly and signed the roll of the members. Muhammad Bilal Badar, one of the lawmakers-elect, was not present to take the oath because his victory notification had not yet been issued. PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed concerns over the transparency and fair play in the by-elections, but NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq asked him to approach the election tribunal to voice his objections. Also during the session, opposition MNA Noor Alam sounded the alarm about the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and urged the government to summon a meeting of the National Security Committee to inform the lawmakers on the prevailing security situation in the country. (“PML-N ranks swell after five MNAs take oath,” Dawn, 28 November 2025)
SECURITY
Field Marshal to become Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) as Gen Mirza retires as last CJCSC
On 27 November, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza retired as the last Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJSCS) following the title’s abolition as part of the military hierarchy shakeup enforced by the 27th Amendment. This ends the tri-service representation structure that has existed since 1976. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will take over as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a newly created unified title also enforced by the 27th Amendment. He will also simultaneously serve as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), creating a dual-hatted position with consolidated operational, administrative and strategic authority. His new appointment resets his tenure, giving him a fresh five-year term with the possibility of an additional five years. At the same time, a new four-star post called the Commander National Strategic Command (CNSC) has been created to oversee the nuclear domain. This position will also be shielded from judicial review, like the CDF. Critics warn that the new system concentrates unprecedented power in one office, while diminishing that of the Navy and Air Force. Despite these major changes, the National Command Authority Act has yet to be updated to match the new system and the future structure of the Joint Services Headquarters remains uncertain. (“Gen Mirza bows out as last CJCSC,” The News International, 28 November 2025; “Gen Mirza bows out as last CJCSC,” Dawn, 28 November 2025)
JUDICIARY
Three Islamabad High Court judges start shifting their belongings following exit speculations
On 27 November, it was found that three judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had packed up their belongings from the high court following exit speculations in light of the 27th Amendment. Justices Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar and Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan had shifted their belongings back to their respective residences over the past week. It is believed that the directions for them to leave the high court were issued shortly after the 27th Amendment came into force. The three judges were among the six who wrote a letter last year to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) alleging interference by intelligence agencies in judicial affairs. The letter subsequently triggered a debate over the independence of the judiciary. (“Amid exit speculations, 3 IHC judges ‘pack up’ chambers,” Dawn, 28 November 2025)
EXTERNAL
Pakistan and Russia reaffirm deepening of bilateral ties
On 27 November, Pakistan and Russia pledged to deepen their bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, business-to-business engagements, and sectors such as health and education. This came during the 10th Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) held between 25 and 27 November and chaired by Energy Minister Awais Leghari and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Tsivilev. They reiterated their continued cooperation to facilitate exchanges between business communities and improved access for Pakistani products like textiles and IT services. The two countries also emphasised the importance of advancing the pilot cargo movement along agreed corridors and confirmed their intention to start a pilot train. Other sectors of cooperation include renewable energy, hydropower development, hydrological monitoring and flood resilience. Additionally, both sides confirmed plans to establish Russian language centres in Islamabad and Karachi. Three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed, first between the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and Russia’s Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology, second between the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia, and third by the state-run news agencies, Associated Press of Pakistan and Russia’s Sputnik. The two sides also decided to hold the next IGC session in Russia in 2026. (“Pakistan, Russia vow ‘forward-looking’ partnership,” Dawn, 28 November 2025)
ECONOMY
Fuel oil exports hit new high in 2025
Pakistan’s annual fuel oil exports have hit an all-time high this year, as high domestic taxes have discouraged purchases while the country continues switching to cleaner sources of energy. Analysts believe this trend is likely to continue next year as Pakistan’s exports further weigh on prices in Asia, which is already well-supplied. Exports have so far reached 1.4 million tonnes, up 16 per cent from 2024, data from Kpler showed. Most exports have ended up in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The cargoes were primarily high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), used mainly as marine fuel. More fuel oil was sold by refiners via tenders following tax increases by the government on domestic fuel oil consumption. It also comes at a time when power generators are steadily switching to other alternatives. The leading fuel exporters in the country include Pak-Arab Refinery, Cnergyico, Attock Refinery and National Refinery. “The trend in furnace oil exports is only going to increase going forward in 2026,” said Syed Nazir Abbas Zaidi, secretary general of Pakistan’s oil companies advisory council. (“Pakistan’s fuel oil exports scale fresh high in 2025,” Dawn, 28 November 2025)