Pakistan Armed Forces

Force in Play

De facto power broker in political crisis

Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the government on Aug 18 to move Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for a medical assessment, let his family visit weekly and let him call his two sons twice a week. The government says it complied by sending him to a state-run hospital instead, but the bench said in open court that the order had not been carried out. No court has held a hearing on it since mid-September, Sach Suno reported.

Updated Nov 1

Force in Play

Deployed in Saudi Arabia in 'multiple capabilities'; the Foreign Office says operational decisions sit with the armed forces and the Makkah secretariat in Riyadh

Britain is sending Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters to help Saudi Arabia defend cities and oil sites from Houthi missiles and drones. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the jets will fly defensive sorties only and will not strike Yemen. Pakistan's Foreign Office said on October 16 that Islamabad is 'fully on board' with the Makkah pact.

Updated Oct 27