2.1. Recent political developments
Throughout the referencing period, the federal government continued to be led by the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) in coalition with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and smaller allies,94 with the by-elections in November 2025 strengthening the position of the PML-N.95 Although public disagreements between the PML-N and the PPP were reported in 2025, sparked by a dispute concerning assistance frameworks for victims of flooding, the two parties maintained their cooperation within their coalition.96 At the same time, the opposition remained largely marginalised,97 as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) continued to be affected by arrests,98 convictions,99 disqualifications,100 and legal proceedings.101 In response, PTI lawmakers boycotted parliamentary sessions102 and organised public protests.103
In November 2024, thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the PTI marched into Islamabad,104 with Amnesty International reporting the use of force by security forces, casualties, temporary restrictions on mobile internet services and mass arrests of 4 000 people.105 Further protests by opposition supporters took place in major cities on 8 February 2026, marking the second anniversary of the 2024 general election.106 In May 2025, the Supreme Court of Pakistan validated the conduct of military trials for civilians accused of involvement in the May 2023 unrest,107 reversing earlier restrictions, a decision criticised as undermining fair trial guarantees.108 Following judicial review in mid-2025 concerning the allocation of reserved seats to the PTI, these seats were reassigned in a manner that substantially increased the governing coalition’s parliamentary majority, enabling it to reach a two-thirds majority.109 In October 2025, large-scale protests led by Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) erupted in Punjab in response to a US-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and escalated into violent clashes with police.110 The federal government subsequently banned the TLP under anti-terrorism legislation, sealed its offices and froze its assets.111
On 12 November 2025, parliament adopted a constitutional amendment that expanded the formal authority of the army chief, including the establishment of a Chief of Defence Forces role,112 and restructuring constitutional adjudication by transferring key powers from the Supreme Court to a newly established Federal Constitutional Court.113 Opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote.114 The amendment was interpreted as reinforcing the institutional role of the Pakistan Army in political affairs and limiting civilian judicial oversight.115
- 94
DW, Taking stock of Pakistan's government a year after elections, 2 July 2025, url; Pakistan, National Assembly, Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML (N)) Seats Distribution, n.d., url; Nation (The), PML-N to continue development politics, decisive fight against terrorism: Sanaullah, 9 February 2026, url
- 95
Arab News, Pakistan by-election gains boost PM Sharif’s party but coalition dynamics unchanged — analysts, 25 November 2025, url; Arab News, Ruling party sweeps Pakistan by-elections— unofficial results, 24 November 2025, url; Dawn, PML-N largely sweeps lacklustre by-elections, 24 November 2025, url
- 96
News International (The), War of words ends as PML-N, PPP reach fragile peace in Nawabshah huddle, 9 October 2025, url; Dawn, PPP escalates, PML-N tempers attacks on coalition ally, 8 October 2025, url; Express Tribune (The), PPP, PML-N rush to heal coalition cracks, 2 October 2025, url
- 97
HRW, World Report 2026 – Pakistan, 4 February 2026, url; Arab News, Pakistani opposition alliance says government trying to ‘eliminate’ rivals, calls for joint strategy, 1 August 2025, url
- 98
DW, Pakistan: Hundreds of Imran Khan supporters arrested, 5 August 2025, url
- 99
BBC, Authorities jail 108 members of Imran Khan's party, 1 August 2025, url; Peoples Dispatch, Pakistan jails 75 opposition leaders in mass conviction over 2023 protests against Imran Khan’s arrest, 29 August 2025, url
- 100
Dawn, ECP disqualifies 3 PTI lawmakers following their convictions, 28 July 2025, url
- 101
Nation (The), Perpetual arrest warrants issued for Omar Ayub, Ali Amin Gandapur, 10 February 2026, url
- 102
Express Tribune (The), PTI Senators begin resigning from standing committees, 11 September 2025, url; Dawn, PTI lawmakers exit parliamentary panels, 28 August 2025, url; Express Tribune (The), Omar Ayub boycotts parliament until Imran Khan's release, 18 December 2024, url
- 103
Arab News, Imran Khan’s party calls for ‘shutter-down’ strike on second anniversary of Pakistan elections, 8 February 2026, url; Al Jazeera, What’s next for Imran Khan’s PTI after Islamabad protest setback?, 27 November 2024, url
- 104
Al Jazeera, What’s next for Imran Khan’s PTI after Islamabad protest setback?, 27 November 2024, url
- 105
Amnesty International, Pakistan: ‘brutal and lethal’ crackdown on Imran Khan supporters condemned, 27 November 2024, url
- 106
Peoples Dispatch, Hundreds of thousands participated in a national strike in Pakistan against the conservative government’s policies, 9 February 2026, url
- 107
In May 2023 countrywide demonstrations occurred following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. HRW, Pakistan: Excessive Force against Violent Khan Protests, 11 May 2023, url
- 108
Dawn, May 9 and military courts: What the SC decision means for civilians, 9 May 2025, url; Khan, M. A., Legalising Authoritarianism through Pakistan’s Supreme Court, Verfassungsblog [Blog], 18 June 2025, url
- 109
Samaa, Supreme Court divides PTI's reserved seats among ruling parties, 27 June 2025, url; PNP, Supreme Court ‘s Historic Judgement on Reserved Seats, 28 June 2025, url; Arab News, Pakistan’s top court rules Imran Khan’s party ineligible for reserved parliamentary seats, 27 June 2025, url
- 110
AFP, Pakistan Islamists march towards capital after violent anti-Israel protests, 11 October 2025; NPR, Pakistan bans hard-line Islamist party known for its fierce anti-blasphemy stance, 25 October 2025, url; Al Jazeera, What’s behind Pakistan’s latest crackdown on religious party TLP?, 17 October 2025, url
- 111
Dawn, No religious group backs TLP as ban takes effect, 25 October 2025, url; AP, Pakistan bans hard-line Islamist party after recent deadly clashes with police, 23 October 2025, url; NPR, Pakistan bans hard-line Islamist party known for its fierce anti-blasphemy stance, 25 October 2025, url
- 112
Constitution
- 113
ICJ, Pakistan – Dismantling Justice: A Full-Frontal Assault on the Rule of Law, 13 November 2025, url
- 114
Express Tribune (The), 27th Amendment rushed through Senate amid opposition walkout, 11 November 2025, url
- 115
Constitution