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President of Pakistan

February 06, 2023

For a comprehensive list, see List of heads of state of Pakistan.

The president of Pakistan (Urdu: صدرِ پاکستان, romanized: s̤adr-i Pākiṣṭān), officially the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is the ceremonial head of state of Pakistan and the commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces.[4][5]

President of Pakistan
صدرِ پاکستان
Incumbent
Arif Alvi
since 9 September 2018
Executive branch of the
Government of Pakistan
StyleHonourable President
(formal)
His Excellency[1]
(diplomatic)
Mr President (informal)
TypeHead of state
ResidenceAiwan-e-Sadr
SeatIslamabad
AppointerElectoral College
Term lengthFive years
(Renewable once)
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Pakistan
PrecursorMonarch of Pakistan
Inaugural holderIskander Mirza
Formation23 March 1956; 66 years ago (1956-03-23)
SuccessionLine of succession
DeputyChairman of the Senate
SalaryPRs. 846,550 per month[2][3]
WebsitePresident of Pakistan

The office of president was created upon the proclamation of Islamic Republic on 23 March 1956. The then serving governor-general, Major-General Iskander Mirza, assumed office as the first president. Following the 1958 coup d'etat, the office of prime minister was abolished, leaving the Presidency as the most powerful office in the country. This position was further strengthened when the 1962 Constitution was adopted. It turned Pakistan into a Presidential Republic, giving all executive powers to the president. In 1973, the new Constitution established Parliamentary democracy and reduced president's role to a ceremonial one. Nevertheless, the military takeover in 1977 reversed the changes. The 8th Amendment turned Pakistan into a semi-presidential republic and in the period between 1985 and 2010, the executive power was shared by president and prime minister. The 18th Amendment in 2010 restored Parliamentary Democracy in the country, and reduced presidency to a ceremonial position.[6]

The constitution prohibits the president from directly running the government.[7] Instead, the executive power is exercised on his behalf by the prime minister who keeps him informed on all matters of internal and foreign policy, as well as all legislative proposals.[8] The Constitution however, vests the president with the powers of granting pardons, reprieves, and the control over the military; however, all appointments at higher commands of the military must be made by the President on a "required and necessary" basis, upon consultation and approval from the prime minister.[9]

The president is indirectly elected by the Electoral College for a five-year term. The Constitution requires the president to be a "Muslim of not less than forty five (45) years of age". The president resides in an estate in Islamabad known as Aiwan-e-Sadar (President's House). In his absence, the chairman of Senate exercises the responsibilities of the post, until the actual president resumes office, or the next office holder is elected.

There have been a total of 13 presidents. The first president was Iskander Ali Mirza who entered office on 23 March 1956. The current office holder is Arif Alvi, who took charge on 9 September 2018, following his victory in the 2018 elections.[10]

Powers and authority

Role of the president

 
The Ceremonial guard of honour at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The official residence and principal workplace of the president is Aiwan-e-Sadr— the presidential palace located in northeastern Islamabad. The presidency forms the vital institutional organ of state and is part of the bicameral Parliament.[11]

Powers to exercise the authority are limited to the ceremonial figurehead, and required to address the Parliament to give a direction for national policies before being informed of its key decisions.[12][13][14]

In addition, the president is also a civil commander-in-chief of the military, with chairman joint chiefs being its chief military adviser to maintain the control of the military.[15] After a thorough confirmation comes from the prime minister, the president confirms the judicial appointments in the national court system.[16][17] In addition, the Constitution allows the president to grant pardons, reprieves, and clemency in cases recommended to him by the executive and the judiciary.[18] The president himself has absolute constitutional immunity from criminal and civil proceedings, and no proceedings can be initiated or continued against him during the term of his office.[19]

There shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of State and shall represent the "unity of the Republic."

— Article 41 in Chapter 1: The President of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan, source[20]

From 2000 until 2009, the president was the chairman of the National Security Council who had authority and control over the nuclear and strategic arsenals; however, the chairmanship and the powers transferred back to the prime minister.[21] Furthermore, the presidential powers have significantly declined with Pakistan's government reversed to a parliamentary democratic republic.[22]

Eligibility and selection process

The Constitution of Pakistan sets the principle qualifications that the candidate must meet to be eligible to the office of the president.[23] A president has to be:

Whenever the Aiwan-e-Sadr becomes vacant, the selection of president is done by the electoral college, which consists of both houses of Parliament (the Senate and National Assembly) and the four provincial assemblies.[24] The chief election commissioner has to conduct elections to the office of the president in a special session.[25] Voting takes place in secrecy.[26]

Each elector casts a different number of votes.[26] The general principle is that the total number of votes cast by members of Parliament equals the total number of votes cast by provincial legislators.[26] Each of the provincial legislatures has an equal number of votes to each other, based on the number of members of the smallest legislature, which is the Balochistan Assembly (65 seats).[26]

The constitution further states that election to the office of president will not be held earlier than sixty days and not later than thirty days before the expiration of the term of the president in office.[26]

Election and oath

The president is elected indirectly for a term of five years.[27] The incumbent president is eligible for re-election to that office, but cannot hold that office for more than two consecutive terms.[28] The president is required to make and subscribe in the presence of the chief justice—, an oath or affirmation that the president shall protect, preserve and defend the Constitution as follows:

I, (The name of the President-elect), do solemnly swear that I am a Muslim and believe in the Unity, and Oneness of Almighty Allah, the Books of Allah, the Holy Qur'an being the last of them, the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last of the Prophets and that there can be no Prophet after him, the Day of Judgment, and all the requirements and teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah:

That I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan:

That, as President of Pakistan, I will discharge my duties, and perform my functions, honestly, to the best of my ability, faithfully in accordance with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well- being and prosperity of Pakistan:

That I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions:

That I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan:

That, in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill- will:

And that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as President of Pakistan, except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as President. May Allah Almighty help and guide me (Ameen).

In Urdu,

بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم


میں (صدر-منتخب کا نام )صدق دل سے حلف اٹھاتا ہوں کہ میں مسلمان ہوں اور وحدت و توحید قادر مطلق اللہ تعالیٰ کتاب الہٰیہ جن میں قرآن پاک خاتم الکتب اور نبوت حضرت محمد ﷺ بحیثیت خاتم النبیین جن کے بعد کوئی نبی نہیں آسکتا روز قیامت اور قرآن پاک اور سنت کی جملہ مقتدیات و تعلیمات پر ایمان رکھتا ہوں۔ کہ میں خلوص نیت سے پاکستان کا حامی اور وفادار رہوں گا کہ بحیثیت صدر پاکستان میں اپنے فرائض و کارہائے منصبی ایمانداری اپنی انتہائی صلاحیت اور وفاداری کے ساتھ اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان کے دستور اور قانون کے مطابق اور ہمیشہ پاکستان کی خودمختاری سالمیت استحکام یکجہتی اور خوشحالی کی خاطر انجام دوں گا۔ کہ میں اسلامی نظریے کو برقرار رکھنے کے لیے کوشاں رہوں گا جو قیام پاکستان کی بنیاد ہے کہ میں اپنے ذاتی مفاد کو اپنے سرکاری کام یا اپنے سرکاری فیصلوں پر اثر انداز نہیں ہونے دوں گا۔ کہ میں اسلامی جموریہ پاکستان کے دستور کو برقرار رکھوں گا اور اس کا تحفظ اور دفاع کروں گا اور یہ کہ میں ہر حالت میں ہر قسم کے لوگوں کے ساتھ بلا خوف ورعایت اور بلارغبت و عناد قانون کے مطابق انصاف کروں گا اور یہ کہ میں کسی شخص کو بلاواسطہ یا بالواسطہ کسی ایسے معاملے کی نہ اطلاع دوں گا اور نہ ظاہر کروں گاجو بحیثیت صدر پاکستان میرے سامنے غور کیلئے پیش کیا جائے گا یا میرے علم میں آئے بجز جبکہ بحیثیت صدر اپنے فرائض کی کماحقہ انجام دہی کیلئے ایسا کرنا ضروری ہو۔ اللہ تعالیٰ میری مدد اور رہنمائی فرمائے، آمین۔

— Article 42 in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan

Line of succession and removal

Main article: Line of succession to the President of Pakistan

The Constitution discusses the possibility of an acting president.[29] Certain office-holders, however, are permitted to stand as presidential candidates in case of vacancy as the constitution does not include a position of vice president:

The president may be removed before the expiry of the term through impeachment. The president can be removed for violation of the Constitution of Pakistan.[31]

The impeachment process may start in either of the two houses of the Parliament. The house initiates the process by leveling the charges against the president.[32] The charges are contained in a notice that has to be signed by either the chairman or the speaker of the National Assembly through a two-thirds majority.[32] The notice is sent up to the president, and 14 days later it is taken up for consideration.[33]

A resolution to impeach the president has to be passed by the two-thirds majority.[34] The speaker of the National Assembly then summons the joint session not earlier than seven days.[35] The president has the right to defend oneself.[36]

If the resolution is passed by the two-thirds majority at the joint session declaring that the president is unfit to hold the office due to incapacity or is guilty of violating the Constitution or of gross misconduct, then the president shall cease to hold office immediately on the passing of the resolution.[37]

No president has been impeached. However, the proceedings have been used in 2008 in an attempt to impeach former president Pervez Musharraf who tendered the resignation after the proceedings above were used.[38]

List of presidents

Main article: List of heads of state of Pakistan

Political background

 
Presidential standard (1956–1967)

Early origins

From 1947 until 1956, the governor-general of Pakistan acted for the head of state: King George VI (until 1952) and Queen Elizabeth II (from 1952). With the promulgation of the first constitution, Pakistan became an Islamic republic in 1956, and the governor-general was replaced with the presidency. The incumbent governor-general, Iskander Mirza, became Pakistan's first president. He reportedly suspended the first constitution in 1958, and appointed Army commander-in-chief General Ayub Khan as the first chief martial law administrator. Khan subsequently dismissed Mirza in order to become the president.

 
Iskander Mirza became the 1st President of Pakistan in 1956

The second constitution introduced by President Ayub Khan turned the country into a presidential republic without direct elections. Succumbing to internal and international pressure, however, Khan held a nationwide presidential election in 1965. Khan successfully campaigned against his opponent, Fatima Jinnah, for a second term, but some have alleged that elections were rigged in favour of Khan.

 
Presidential standard (1974–1998)

Controversy regarding the U-2 incident (1960), privatization (1963), and war with India (1965), fueled a fierce left-wing opposition movement led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of the PPP and Bengali nationalist Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who, with the support of demonstrators, aimed to further weaken the presidency. Suffering from paralysis and declining health, Ayub Khan handed over the presidency to army chief General Yahya Khan, who imposed martial law and announced that national elections would be held in 1970. Eventually, general elections were held in 1970 which saw the PPP gaining a majority of seats in West Pakistan (current-day Pakistan) and the Awami League gaining a majority in East Pakistan (current-day Bangladesh).

After he was unable to reach a compromise between the PPP and the Awami League, President Yahya Khan invited Nurul Amin of the Pakistan Muslim League to become the prime minister, and also appointed him as the first vice president. The growing instigated violence against Pakistanis in East Pakistan forced President Yahya Khan to use force in order to maintain order there, which further escalated Bengali resistance (1970). Preemptive strikes against India led to another war in 1971, which freed East Pakistan and created Bangladesh.

Taking personal responsibility for the political isolation and devastation of Pakistan after the fall of East Pakistan, President Yahya Khan stepped down and ceded power to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. President Bhutto created the current Constitution of Pakistan in 1973, transforming Pakistan into a parliamentary democracy, and reducing presidential powers to that of a ceremonial figurehead.

Past Interventions

The general elections held in 1977 resulted in an atmosphere of civil unrest instigated by the right-wing alliance, the Pakistan National Alliance. The events leading to it resulted in military intervention by chief of army staff General Zia-ul-Haq and Chairman Joint Chiefs Admiral Mohammad Shariff. Suspending the Constitution in 1977, General Zia-ul-Haq took over the presidency in 1978. Zia's presidency oversaw the modern growth of far-right ideas in the country. Succumbing to domestic pressure to restore the Constitution, President Zia-ul-Haq held a referendum (1984) and called for general elections in 1985. President Zia-ul-Haq appointed Mohammad Junejo as prime minister and assumed more powers through the constitutional amendment. After dismissing Prime Minister Junejo, President Zia-ul-Haq announced that new general elections would be held, but President Zia died in a plane crash in 1988.

The general elections held in 1988 witnessed the victory of PPP in 1988 and appointed Senate chairman Ghulam Ishaq Khan to the presidency. The conflict between Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and President Ghulam Ishaq Khan arose in two areas regarding the issues of appointments. President Ghulam Ishaq Khan repeatedly intervened in government matters and leveled charges against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto; thus dismissing Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1990. After holding general elections in 1990, Nawaz Sharif brought up an ideologically conservative government and President Ghulam Ishaq Khan unsuccessfully tried to dismiss Sharif. After a successful intervention by Supreme Court and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Shamim Allam, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tendered resignations in 1993.

Following the new elections held in 1993, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto established a strong government after appointing loyalists Farooq Leghari to the presidency. However, the corruption charges and the controversial death of Murtaza Bhutto in 1996 resulted in President Farooq Leghari dismissing Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. In 1997, President Farooq Leghari could not overcome the heavy mandate bestowed on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by the public in 1997. President Leghari unsuccessfully supported Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah— both of them resigned, ending the conflict between the Judiciary, the Executive, and the Parliament. After appointing Rafiq Tarar, the Parliament successfully passed constitutional amendment to decisively limit the presidency. After staging a controversial self coup in 1999, General Pervez Musharraf dismissed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Rafiq Tarar in 2001 while assuming more powers to the presidency. In January 2004, the Electoral College elected Musharraf, and as a result he was, according to the Constitution, "deemed to be elected".[39]

President Musharraf's repeated unconstitutional intervention resulted in a standoff with the Judiciary, and declared a state of emergency in 2007, after dismissing the senior justices of the Supreme Court. Although Musharraf was elected in 2007, the constitutional legality of Musharraf's rule was found dubious. A populist constitutional movement eventually resulted in Musharraf's departure. On 22 August 2008, the electoral commission called for presidential nominations to be delivered by 26 August 2008 and for elections to be held on 6 September 2008.[40][41]

Figurehead overview

 
President Arif Alvi visits Maritime Ministry, flanked by Ali Zaidi and Rizwan Ahmed

After the presidential election held in 2008, Asif Ali Zardari lobbied for constitutional amendment to restore the Constitution as it was in 1973.[42][43][44][45] In 2010, the Parliament unanimously and with a large majority, passed the eighteenth amendment of the constitution. It revoked the presidential powers and changed Pakistan from a semi-presidential system of government to a parliamentary republic, with great hopes of governmental stability in the future.

See also

References

  1. ^ Gupta, K. R., ed. (2006). India-Pakistan relations with special reference to Kashmir. New Delhi: Atlantic Publ. and Distributors. ISBN 8126906723.
  2. ^ "Govt wants to double president's salary". The Express Tribune. 29 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Data" (PDF). www.na.gov.pk. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  4. ^ Article 243(3) 2015-03-21 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2: The Armed Forces. Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  5. ^ a b Article 41(1) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  6. ^ "Pakistan moves to roll back presidential powers". Los Angeles Times. 2 April 2010.
  7. ^ Article 43(1)–43(2) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  8. ^ Article 46 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  9. ^ Article 243(2) 2015-03-21 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2: The Armed Forces. Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  10. ^ "Ministry of Maritime Affairs". Moma.gov.pk. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  11. ^ Article 50 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  12. ^ Article 46 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  13. ^ Article 54 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  14. ^ Article 56 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  15. ^ Article 243(3) in Chapter 2: The Armed Forces. Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  16. ^ Article 175A(3) 2014-07-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  17. ^ Article 177A(1) 2015-05-28 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2:The Supreme Court of Pakistan of Part VII in the Constitution of Pakistan
  18. ^ Article 45 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  19. ^ Article 248(1) Archived 2014-06-03 at archive.today in Chapter 4:General of Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  20. ^ Article 41 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan
  21. ^ Govt. of Pakistan (3 March 2010). "The National Command Authority Act, 2010" (PDF). Islamabad: National Assembly press. National Assembly press. (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  22. ^ See: The XVIII Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.
  23. ^ a b c d Article 41(2) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  24. ^ Crilly, Rob (10 May 2013). "Pakistan election guide: How does it work?". Telegraph, Pakistan Bureau. Telegraph. from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  25. ^ Article 41(3) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  26. ^ a b c d e APP, Associate Press of Pakistan (25 July 2013). "706 Electoral College members to elect 12th President of Pakistan". News International, 2013. News International. from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  27. ^ Article 44(1)-(2) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  28. ^ Article 44(2) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  29. ^ Article 49(1)-(2) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  30. ^ Article 49(1) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  31. ^ Article 47(1)-(2) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  32. ^ a b Article 47(3) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  33. ^ Article 47(5) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  34. ^ Article 47(6) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  35. ^ Article 47(6) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  36. ^ Article 47(7) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  37. ^ Article 47(8) 2016-02-04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  38. ^ See: Movement to impeach Pervez Musharraf
  39. ^ Waldman, Amy (2 January 2004). "Pakistan Gives Musharraf Confidence Vote as President". The New York Times. from the original on 15 May 2013.
  40. ^ Times of India. 22 August 2008.
  41. ^ radionetherlands.nl Pakistan to choose president on 6 September. 2008-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Radio Netherlands.
  42. ^ "Pakistan's presidential poll today, Zardari front runner." 2009-01-03 at the Wayback Machine Times of India.
  43. ^ afp.google.com "Bhutto's widower set to become Pakistan president." 2008-09-09 at the Wayback Machine AFP 2008. Accessed 8 January 2014.
  44. ^ afp.google.com "Zardari wins Pakistan presidential election: officials." 2009-07-07 at the Wayback Machine AFP 2008. Dead URL 8 January 2014
  45. ^ nytimes.com "Zardari is elected Pakistan's president." 2016-07-22 at the Wayback Machine New York Times 7 September 2008.

External links

  • President of Pakistan: official website

February 06, 2023
president, pakistan, comprehensive, list, list, heads, state, pakistan, president, pakistan, urdu, صدر, پاکستان, romanized, pākiṣṭān, officially, president, islamic, republic, pakistan, ceremonial, head, state, pakistan, commander, chief, pakistan, armed, forc. For a comprehensive list see List of heads of state of Pakistan The president of Pakistan Urdu صدر پاکستان romanized s adr i Pakiṣṭan officially the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the ceremonial head of state of Pakistan and the commander in chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces 4 5 President of Pakistanصدر پاکستانStandard of the President of PakistanIncumbentArif Alvisince 9 September 2018Executive branch of theGovernment of PakistanStyleHonourable President formal His Excellency 1 diplomatic Mr President informal TypeHead of stateResidenceAiwan e SadrSeatIslamabadAppointerElectoral CollegeTerm lengthFive years Renewable once Constituting instrumentConstitution of PakistanPrecursorMonarch of PakistanInaugural holderIskander MirzaFormation23 March 1956 66 years ago 1956 03 23 SuccessionLine of successionDeputyChairman of the SenateSalaryPRs 846 550 per month 2 3 WebsitePresident of PakistanThe office of president was created upon the proclamation of Islamic Republic on 23 March 1956 The then serving governor general Major General Iskander Mirza assumed office as the first president Following the 1958 coup d etat the office of prime minister was abolished leaving the Presidency as the most powerful office in the country This position was further strengthened when the 1962 Constitution was adopted It turned Pakistan into a Presidential Republic giving all executive powers to the president In 1973 the new Constitution established Parliamentary democracy and reduced president s role to a ceremonial one Nevertheless the military takeover in 1977 reversed the changes The 8th Amendment turned Pakistan into a semi presidential republic and in the period between 1985 and 2010 the executive power was shared by president and prime minister The 18th Amendment in 2010 restored Parliamentary Democracy in the country and reduced presidency to a ceremonial position 6 The constitution prohibits the president from directly running the government 7 Instead the executive power is exercised on his behalf by the prime minister who keeps him informed on all matters of internal and foreign policy as well as all legislative proposals 8 The Constitution however vests the president with the powers of granting pardons reprieves and the control over the military however all appointments at higher commands of the military must be made by the President on a required and necessary basis upon consultation and approval from the prime minister 9 The president is indirectly elected by the Electoral College for a five year term The Constitution requires the president to be a Muslim of not less than forty five 45 years of age The president resides in an estate in Islamabad known as Aiwan e Sadar President s House In his absence the chairman of Senate exercises the responsibilities of the post until the actual president resumes office or the next office holder is elected There have been a total of 13 presidents The first president was Iskander Ali Mirza who entered office on 23 March 1956 The current office holder is Arif Alvi who took charge on 9 September 2018 following his victory in the 2018 elections 10 Contents 1 Powers and authority 1 1 Role of the president 1 2 Eligibility and selection process 1 3 Election and oath 1 4 Line of succession and removal 2 List of presidents 3 Political background 3 1 Early origins 3 2 Past Interventions 3 3 Figurehead overview 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksPowers and authority EditRole of the president Edit The Ceremonial guard of honour at the Aiwan e Sadr The official residence and principal workplace of the president is Aiwan e Sadr the presidential palace located in northeastern Islamabad The presidency forms the vital institutional organ of state and is part of the bicameral Parliament 11 Powers to exercise the authority are limited to the ceremonial figurehead and required to address the Parliament to give a direction for national policies before being informed of its key decisions 12 13 14 In addition the president is also a civil commander in chief of the military with chairman joint chiefs being its chief military adviser to maintain the control of the military 15 After a thorough confirmation comes from the prime minister the president confirms the judicial appointments in the national court system 16 17 In addition the Constitution allows the president to grant pardons reprieves and clemency in cases recommended to him by the executive and the judiciary 18 The president himself has absolute constitutional immunity from criminal and civil proceedings and no proceedings can be initiated or continued against him during the term of his office 19 There shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of State and shall represent the unity of the Republic Article 41 in Chapter 1 The President of Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan source 20 From 2000 until 2009 the president was the chairman of the National Security Council who had authority and control over the nuclear and strategic arsenals however the chairmanship and the powers transferred back to the prime minister 21 Furthermore the presidential powers have significantly declined with Pakistan s government reversed to a parliamentary democratic republic 22 Eligibility and selection process Edit The Constitution of Pakistan sets the principle qualifications that the candidate must meet to be eligible to the office of the president 23 A president has to be A citizen of Pakistan 5 A Muslim 23 At least 45 years of age 23 Qualified to be elected as member of the National Assembly 23 Whenever the Aiwan e Sadr becomes vacant the selection of president is done by the electoral college which consists of both houses of Parliament the Senate and National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies 24 The chief election commissioner has to conduct elections to the office of the president in a special session 25 Voting takes place in secrecy 26 Each elector casts a different number of votes 26 The general principle is that the total number of votes cast by members of Parliament equals the total number of votes cast by provincial legislators 26 Each of the provincial legislatures has an equal number of votes to each other based on the number of members of the smallest legislature which is the Balochistan Assembly 65 seats 26 The constitution further states that election to the office of president will not be held earlier than sixty days and not later than thirty days before the expiration of the term of the president in office 26 Election and oath Edit The president is elected indirectly for a term of five years 27 The incumbent president is eligible for re election to that office but cannot hold that office for more than two consecutive terms 28 The president is required to make and subscribe in the presence of the chief justice an oath or affirmation that the president shall protect preserve and defend the Constitution as follows I The name of the President elect do solemnly swear that I am a Muslim and believe in the Unity and Oneness of Almighty Allah the Books of Allah the Holy Qur an being the last of them the Prophethood of Muhammad peace be upon him as the last of the Prophets and that there can be no Prophet after him the Day of Judgment and all the requirements and teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah That I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan That as President of Pakistan I will discharge my duties and perform my functions honestly to the best of my ability faithfully in accordance with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the law and always in the interest of the sovereignty integrity solidarity well being and prosperity of Pakistan That I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions That I will preserve protect and defend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan That in all circumstances I will do right to all manner of people according to law without fear or favour affection or ill will And that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as President of Pakistan except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as President May Allah Almighty help and guide me Ameen In Urdu بسم اللہ الرحم ن الرحیم میں صدر منتخب کا نام صدق دل سے حلف اٹھاتا ہوں کہ میں مسلمان ہوں اور وحدت و توحید قادر مطلق اللہ تعالی کتاب الہ یہ جن میں قرآن پاک خاتم الکتب اور نبوت حضرت محمد ﷺ بحیثیت خاتم النبیین جن کے بعد کوئی نبی نہیں آسکتا روز قیامت اور قرآن پاک اور سنت کی جملہ مقتدیات و تعلیمات پر ایمان رکھتا ہوں کہ میں خلوص نیت سے پاکستان کا حامی اور وفادار رہوں گا کہ بحیثیت صدر پاکستان میں اپنے فرائض و کارہائے منصبی ایمانداری اپنی انتہائی صلاحیت اور وفاداری کے ساتھ اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان کے دستور اور قانون کے مطابق اور ہمیشہ پاکستان کی خودمختاری سالمیت استحکام یکجہتی اور خوشحالی کی خاطر انجام دوں گا کہ میں اسلامی نظریے کو برقرار رکھنے کے لیے کوشاں رہوں گا جو قیام پاکستان کی بنیاد ہے کہ میں اپنے ذاتی مفاد کو اپنے سرکاری کام یا اپنے سرکاری فیصلوں پر اثر انداز نہیں ہونے دوں گا کہ میں اسلامی جموریہ پاکستان کے دستور کو برقرار رکھوں گا اور اس کا تحفظ اور دفاع کروں گا اور یہ کہ میں ہر حالت میں ہر قسم کے لوگوں کے ساتھ بلا خوف ورعایت اور بلارغبت و عناد قانون کے مطابق انصاف کروں گا اور یہ کہ میں کسی شخص کو بلاواسطہ یا بالواسطہ کسی ایسے معاملے کی نہ اطلاع دوں گا اور نہ ظاہر کروں گاجو بحیثیت صدر پاکستان میرے سامنے غور کیلئے پیش کیا جائے گا یا میرے علم میں آئے بجز جبکہ بحیثیت صدر اپنے فرائض کی کماحقہ انجام دہی کیلئے ایسا کرنا ضروری ہو اللہ تعالی میری مدد اور رہنمائی فرمائے آمین Article 42 in Chapter 1 The President in Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Line of succession and removal Edit Main article Line of succession to the President of Pakistan The Constitution discusses the possibility of an acting president 29 Certain office holders however are permitted to stand as presidential candidates in case of vacancy as the constitution does not include a position of vice president The chairman of the Senate of Pakistan The speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan 30 The president may be removed before the expiry of the term through impeachment The president can be removed for violation of the Constitution of Pakistan 31 The impeachment process may start in either of the two houses of the Parliament The house initiates the process by leveling the charges against the president 32 The charges are contained in a notice that has to be signed by either the chairman or the speaker of the National Assembly through a two thirds majority 32 The notice is sent up to the president and 14 days later it is taken up for consideration 33 A resolution to impeach the president has to be passed by the two thirds majority 34 The speaker of the National Assembly then summons the joint session not earlier than seven days 35 The president has the right to defend oneself 36 If the resolution is passed by the two thirds majority at the joint session declaring that the president is unfit to hold the office due to incapacity or is guilty of violating the Constitution or of gross misconduct then the president shall cease to hold office immediately on the passing of the resolution 37 No president has been impeached However the proceedings have been used in 2008 in an attempt to impeach former president Pervez Musharraf who tendered the resignation after the proceedings above were used 38 List of presidents EditMain article List of heads of state of PakistanPolitical background Edit Presidential standard 1956 1967 Early origins Edit From 1947 until 1956 the governor general of Pakistan acted for the head of state King George VI until 1952 and Queen Elizabeth II from 1952 With the promulgation of the first constitution Pakistan became an Islamic republic in 1956 and the governor general was replaced with the presidency The incumbent governor general Iskander Mirza became Pakistan s first president He reportedly suspended the first constitution in 1958 and appointed Army commander in chief General Ayub Khan as the first chief martial law administrator Khan subsequently dismissed Mirza in order to become the president Iskander Mirza became the 1st President of Pakistan in 1956 The second constitution introduced by President Ayub Khan turned the country into a presidential republic without direct elections Succumbing to internal and international pressure however Khan held a nationwide presidential election in 1965 Khan successfully campaigned against his opponent Fatima Jinnah for a second term but some have alleged that elections were rigged in favour of Khan Presidential standard 1974 1998 Controversy regarding the U 2 incident 1960 privatization 1963 and war with India 1965 fueled a fierce left wing opposition movement led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of the PPP and Bengali nationalist Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who with the support of demonstrators aimed to further weaken the presidency Suffering from paralysis and declining health Ayub Khan handed over the presidency to army chief General Yahya Khan who imposed martial law and announced that national elections would be held in 1970 Eventually general elections were held in 1970 which saw the PPP gaining a majority of seats in West Pakistan current day Pakistan and the Awami League gaining a majority in East Pakistan current day Bangladesh After he was unable to reach a compromise between the PPP and the Awami League President Yahya Khan invited Nurul Amin of the Pakistan Muslim League to become the prime minister and also appointed him as the first vice president The growing instigated violence against Pakistanis in East Pakistan forced President Yahya Khan to use force in order to maintain order there which further escalated Bengali resistance 1970 Preemptive strikes against India led to another war in 1971 which freed East Pakistan and created Bangladesh Taking personal responsibility for the political isolation and devastation of Pakistan after the fall of East Pakistan President Yahya Khan stepped down and ceded power to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto President Bhutto created the current Constitution of Pakistan in 1973 transforming Pakistan into a parliamentary democracy and reducing presidential powers to that of a ceremonial figurehead Past Interventions Edit The general elections held in 1977 resulted in an atmosphere of civil unrest instigated by the right wing alliance the Pakistan National Alliance The events leading to it resulted in military intervention by chief of army staff General Zia ul Haq and Chairman Joint Chiefs Admiral Mohammad Shariff Suspending the Constitution in 1977 General Zia ul Haq took over the presidency in 1978 Zia s presidency oversaw the modern growth of far right ideas in the country Succumbing to domestic pressure to restore the Constitution President Zia ul Haq held a referendum 1984 and called for general elections in 1985 President Zia ul Haq appointed Mohammad Junejo as prime minister and assumed more powers through the constitutional amendment After dismissing Prime Minister Junejo President Zia ul Haq announced that new general elections would be held but President Zia died in a plane crash in 1988 The general elections held in 1988 witnessed the victory of PPP in 1988 and appointed Senate chairman Ghulam Ishaq Khan to the presidency The conflict between Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and President Ghulam Ishaq Khan arose in two areas regarding the issues of appointments President Ghulam Ishaq Khan repeatedly intervened in government matters and leveled charges against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto thus dismissing Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1990 After holding general elections in 1990 Nawaz Sharif brought up an ideologically conservative government and President Ghulam Ishaq Khan unsuccessfully tried to dismiss Sharif After a successful intervention by Supreme Court and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Shamim Allam President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tendered resignations in 1993 Following the new elections held in 1993 Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto established a strong government after appointing loyalists Farooq Leghari to the presidency However the corruption charges and the controversial death of Murtaza Bhutto in 1996 resulted in President Farooq Leghari dismissing Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto In 1997 President Farooq Leghari could not overcome the heavy mandate bestowed on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by the public in 1997 President Leghari unsuccessfully supported Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah both of them resigned ending the conflict between the Judiciary the Executive and the Parliament After appointing Rafiq Tarar the Parliament successfully passed constitutional amendment to decisively limit the presidency After staging a controversial self coup in 1999 General Pervez Musharraf dismissed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Rafiq Tarar in 2001 while assuming more powers to the presidency In January 2004 the Electoral College elected Musharraf and as a result he was according to the Constitution deemed to be elected 39 President Musharraf s repeated unconstitutional intervention resulted in a standoff with the Judiciary and declared a state of emergency in 2007 after dismissing the senior justices of the Supreme Court Although Musharraf was elected in 2007 the constitutional legality of Musharraf s rule was found dubious A populist constitutional movement eventually resulted in Musharraf s departure On 22 August 2008 the electoral commission called for presidential nominations to be delivered by 26 August 2008 and for elections to be held on 6 September 2008 40 41 Figurehead overview Edit President Arif Alvi visits Maritime Ministry flanked by Ali Zaidi and Rizwan Ahmed After the presidential election held in 2008 Asif Ali Zardari lobbied for constitutional amendment to restore the Constitution as it was in 1973 42 43 44 45 In 2010 the Parliament unanimously and with a large majority passed the eighteenth amendment of the constitution It revoked the presidential powers and changed Pakistan from a semi presidential system of government to a parliamentary republic with great hopes of governmental stability in the future See also EditPrincipal Secretary to the President of Pakistan Air transports of heads of state and government Official state car Prime Minister of Pakistan Chief Justice of Pakistan Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army Constitution of Pakistan Foreign Minister of Pakistan Finance Minister of Pakistan Interior Minister of Pakistan Minister of Defence Pakistan Vice President of PakistanReferences Edit Gupta K R ed 2006 India Pakistan relations with special reference to Kashmir New Delhi Atlantic Publ and Distributors ISBN 8126906723 Govt wants to double president s salary The Express Tribune 29 May 2018 Data PDF www na gov pk Retrieved 9 June 2020 Article 243 3 Archived 2015 03 21 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2 The Armed Forces Part XII Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan a b Article 41 1 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Pakistan moves to roll back presidential powers Los Angeles Times 2 April 2010 Article 43 1 43 2 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 46 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 243 2 Archived 2015 03 21 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2 The Armed Forces Part XII Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan Ministry of Maritime Affairs Moma gov pk Retrieved 9 June 2020 Article 50 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2 The Parliament of Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 46 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2 The Parliament of Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 54 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2 The Parliament of Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 56 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2 The Parliament of Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 243 3 in Chapter 2 The Armed Forces Part XII Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 175A 3 Archived 2014 07 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2 The Parliament of Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 177A 1 Archived 2015 05 28 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2 The Supreme Court of Pakistan of Part VII in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 45 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 2 The Parliament of Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 248 1 Archived 2014 06 03 at archive today in Chapter 4 General of Part XII Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 41 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President of Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Govt of Pakistan 3 March 2010 The National Command Authority Act 2010 PDF Islamabad National Assembly press National Assembly press Archived PDF from the original on 5 March 2016 Retrieved 6 May 2015 See The XVIII Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan a b c d Article 41 2 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Crilly Rob 10 May 2013 Pakistan election guide How does it work Telegraph Pakistan Bureau Telegraph Archived from the original on 14 February 2016 Retrieved 18 May 2015 Article 41 3 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President in Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan a b c d e APP Associate Press of Pakistan 25 July 2013 706 Electoral College members to elect 12th President of Pakistan News International 2013 News International Archived from the original on 2 August 2013 Retrieved 18 May 2015 Article 44 1 2 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President in Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 44 2 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President in Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 49 1 2 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 49 1 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 47 1 2 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan a b Article 47 3 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 47 5 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 47 6 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 47 6 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President of Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 47 7 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan Article 47 8 Archived 2016 02 04 at the Wayback Machine in Chapter 1 The President Part III The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan See Movement to impeach Pervez Musharraf Waldman Amy 2 January 2004 Pakistan Gives Musharraf Confidence Vote as President The New York Times Archived from the original on 15 May 2013 timesofindia indiatimes com Pakistan presidential poll on September 6 Times of India 22 August 2008 radionetherlands nl Pakistan to choose president on 6 September Archived 2008 09 24 at the Wayback Machine Radio Netherlands Pakistan s presidential poll today Zardari front runner Archived 2009 01 03 at the Wayback Machine Times of India afp google com Bhutto s widower set to become Pakistan president Archived 2008 09 09 at the Wayback Machine AFP 2008 Accessed 8 January 2014 afp google com Zardari wins Pakistan presidential election officials Archived 2009 07 07 at the Wayback Machine AFP 2008 Dead URL 8 January 2014 nytimes com Zardari is elected Pakistan s president Archived 2016 07 22 at the Wayback Machine New York Times 7 September 2008 External links EditPresident of Pakistan official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title President of Pakistan amp oldid 1137577783, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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