2025: A year of historic political, judicial, and military changes in Pakistan

In Pakistan’s history, 2025 proved to be the most happening year in terms of political developments, far-reaching constitutional reforms, and high-profile legal battles that kept the country in the headlines throughout the year.

The year began with a legal facade surrounding former prime minister Imran Khan.

The PTI founder received a 14-year prison sentence in January 2025 in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, drawing major attention and high emotions across Pakistan. 

His appeal against the sentence faced significant delays, with the Supreme Court indicating that it would not be heard in 2025, effectively extending his legal time frame for the year. 

India, like always, started to blame Pakistan after the deadly attack in Phelgam, IIOJ&K and in May, Modi ordered an attack on Pakistan that claimed civilian lives and security personnel. Pakistan's armed forces, led by COAS General Asim Munir gave a crushing response to India, which later claimed the title of Field Marshal for him.

Furthermore, Pakistan experienced a controversial judicial battle over the transfer of judges. Earlier in the year, the federal government reshuffled several high court judges, moving them into the IHC, a move that was seen as detrimental to judicial independence.

The judicial strains were the cause and effect of sweeping constitutional changes that were made later, in November 2025. 

In 2025, Parliament passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment that reshaped Pakistan’s military and judicial frameworks. 

According to the 27th constitutional amendments, the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was abolished and instead a new position was formed, known as the Chief of Defence Forces.

The move consolidated military command and elevated Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff, as the first CDF for a new five-year term, resetting his tenure under the new structure. 

This constitutional change also made major adjustments to judicial appointments and transfers. 

It created a Federal Constitutional Court to hear constitutional matters, putting it above the Supreme Court. Several senior judges protested that these changes undermined judicial independence and moved power towards military establishment.

Several judges and lawyers even submitted resignations in protest against these reforms, referring to them as an “assault on the Constitution.”  

Towards the end of the year, a verdict was also given in Toshakhana II case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.

The court sentenced them to 17 years in prison each and were imposed with fines exceeding Rs 16 million per person for criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.

2025 also saw some major steps in favor of Pakistan as the COAS and CDF Asim Munir struck one of Pakistan’s largest defense export deals to date, agreeing to sell over $4 billion of military goods to Libya.

Furthermore, CDF and COAS Asim Munir received international honors, the Saudi King Abdulaziz Medal, highlighting Pakistan’s deepening defense ties with key Gulf countries.

Overall, 2025 was a year full of  developments, some in favor of Pakistan, some seen as detrimental to the progress of Pakistan, either in military changes or on political front, or by significant changes in judicial settings.