Prime Minister of Pakistan

Last updated

Prime Minister of Pakistan
وزِیرِ اعظم پاکستان
State emblem of Pakistan.svg
State Emblem of Pakistan
Flag of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.svg
Shehbaz Sharif (34929982354).jpg
Incumbent
Shehbaz Sharif
since 4 March 2024
Executive branch of the
Government of Pakistan
Style
Type Head of government
StatusLeader of the House
AbbreviationPM
Member of
Reports to
Residence Prime Minister House
Seat Prime Minister's Office, Islamabad Capital Territory-44010
Appointer Election Commission of Pakistan through General Elections
by a Convention that is held in the National Assembly, based on appointee's ability to command confidence among the majority of the members.
Term length 5 years, renewable
Constituting instrument Constitution of Pakistan
Inaugural holder Liaquat Ali Khan
(1947–1951)
Formation14 August 1947;76 years ago (1947-08-14)
Deputy Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan
SalaryRs. 24.12 lakh (US$8,400), annual [n 1]
Website pmo.gov.pk

The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu : وزِیرِ اعظم پاکستان , romanized: Wazīr ē Aʿẓam lit.' Grand Vizier ', Urdu pronunciation: [ʋəˈziːr-ˌeːˈɑː.zəm] ) is the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Executive authority is vested in the prime minister and his chosen cabinet, despite the president of Pakistan serving as the nominal head of executive. The prime minister is often the leader of the party or the coalition with a majority in the lower house of the Parliament of Pakistan, the National Assembly where he serves as Leader of the House. Prime minister holds office by virtue of their ability to command the confidence of the National Assembly. The prime minister is designated as the "Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic".

Contents

Pakistan's prime minister leads the executive branch of the federal government, oversees the state economy, leads the National Assembly, heads the Council of Common Interests as well as the Cabinet, and is charged with leading the National Command Authority over Pakistan's nuclear weapons arsenal. [5] [6] [7] This position places its holder in leadership of the nation and in control over all matters, both internal affairs and foreign policy. [8] The prime minister is elected by the members of the National Assembly and is therefore usually the leader of the majority party in the parliament. The Constitution of Pakistan vests executive powers in the prime minister, who is responsible for appointing the Cabinet as well as running the executive branch, taking and authorizing executive decisions, appointments, and recommendations that require prime ministerial confirmation. [9]

Constitutionally, the prime minister serves as the chief adviser to the president of Pakistan on critical matters; and plays an influential role in appointment in each branch of the military leadership as well as ensuring civilian control of the military through chairman joint chiefs, although this does not necessarily happen in tandem. [10] [11] Prime ministerial powers have significantly grown with a delicate system of check and balance by each branch. [12] The position was absent during the years of 1958–1973, 1977–1985, and 1999–2002 due to imposed martial law. In each of these periods, the military junta led by the president had the powers of the prime minister. [13]

History

Liaquat Ali Khan, served as the first prime minister of Pakistan after independence (1947-1951). Liaquat Ali Khan 1945.jpg
Liaquat Ali Khan, served as the first prime minister of Pakistan after independence (1947–1951).

The office of the prime minister was created on immediate effect after the partition and the establishment of Pakistan in 1947; the prime minister existed alongside the governor-general who was the representative of the British monarchy. The first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, exercised central executive powers until his assassination in 1951. [14] The powers slowly began to be reduced as a result of constant intervention by the governor-general. Despite the first set of the Constitution giving central power in 1956, the next six prime ministers were dismissed by the governor-general from 1951 till 1957. The first set of the Constitution had evolved the governor-general into the president of Pakistan whilst declaring the country an "Islamic republic". [15] [16] In 1958, President Iskandar Mirza dismissed the seventh prime minister to impose martial law in a mere two weeks, President Mirza was ousted by army chief General Ayub Khan who had for a brief period held the post of Prime Minister.

In 1962, the second set of the Constitution completely dissolved the office of prime minister as all powers were transferred to the president of Pakistan. [16] [17] Criticism over the presidency after the presidential election held in 1965 over the centralizing of powers. After the general elections held in 1970, the office was established with Nurul Amin becoming the prime minister who was also the vice-president. Negotiations that fall apart between Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mujibur Rehman, and Yahya Khan that prompted to liberation movement in the East Pakistan. With India intervening in East Pakistan and Pakistan conceding defeat to end the war led to the collapse of the presidential system in 1971.

As the comprehensive Constitution reinstated in 1973, the post was reestablished with more central powers as the constitution provided a parliamentary system with President of Pakistan as figurehead. [18] Amid agitation instigated by the right-wing alliance invited the military intervention in 1977 which suspended the post.

The general elections held in 1985 restored the post, with Muhammad Junejo becoming the prime minister. Later that year, the National Assembly passed the controversial eighth amendment to the Constitution, giving the president the power to dismiss the prime minister and the National Assembly without prior consultation. [19] The general elections in 1988 resulted in the Pakistan Peoples Party's Benazir Bhutto becoming the first woman prime minister elected in a Muslim country. [20]

From 1988 to 1993, the power struggle between the prime minister and presidency continued with the president dismissing the National Assembly on three different occasions. At the 1997 elections, the PML(N) secured a two-thirds majority in the Parliament and drafted the XIII and XIV Amendments to reverse the eighth amendment to the Constitution; this allowed Nawaz Sharif to centralize more executive powers. [21] After the draw down of civil-military relations in 1999, Chairman joint chiefs General Pervez Musharraf staged a coup d'état against the PML(N)'s government and held nationwide elections in 2002. [22]

With no party gaining a majority, a coalition was formed with the PML(Q)  – a breakaway of the PML(N) and a pro-Musharraf party – leading with MQM. After some political wrangling, Zafarullah Jamali became the prime minister, and passed the XVII amendment which partially restored the power of the president to dissolve the National Assembly, but made the dissolution subject to the Supreme Court of Pakistan's approval. [23]

Over the authority issues,[ clarification needed ] Prime Minister Jamali resigned in 2004 and Shaukat Aziz was eventually appointed as Prime Minister, securing 151 out of 191 votes in the National Assembly. [24] The XVII amendment featured a semi-presidential system allowing the presidency to keep the interference[ clarification needed ] executive and the judiciary. [23] The general elections in 2008 resulted in the PPP coming to power and supporting the movement to oust Pervez Musharraf. [25] A populist intellectual movement leading to the departure of Pervez Musharraf allowed Asif Zardari to become president. In 2010, the XVIII Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed to reverse the XVII amendment; it returned the country to being a parliamentary democratic republic. The XVIII Amendment removed all powers of the presidency to dissolve the Parliament unilaterally and sweep away the powers amassed by the former presidents Pervez Musharraf and Zia-ul-Haq to maintain a delicate check and balance. [26]

Following a contempt of court case, the Supreme Court permanently disqualified Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani. [27] Originally, the PPP nomination was Makhdoom Shahbuddin, [28] but he was forced to withdraw after the ANF issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him. [29] Raja Pervaiz Ashraf became the prime minister and remained in office until 2013. [12] [29] [30] [31] The general election held in 2013 saw the PML(N) almost achieve a supermajority. Following this, Nawaz Sharif was elected as Prime Minister, returning to the post for the third time after a fourteen-year absence, in a democratic transition. In July 2017, Nawaz Sharif was disqualified as prime minister, not on the corruption charges linked to Panama papers leak that he was accused of, but for failing to declare as in his nomination papers, salary from a company owned by his son. His lawyer insisted that though the ousted prime minister was designated chairman of the company, he had never drawn any salary from the company. [32] [33]

On 18 August 2018, Imran Khan was sworn in as the country's 22nd prime minister. [34] On 10 April 2022, a constitutional crisis culminated in Khan losing a motion of no confidence with 174 votes cast against him, ending his premiership and making him the first Prime Minister of Pakistan to be legitimately removed from office, through a motion of no confidence. [35]

On 11th April 2022, Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the country's 23rd Prime Minister. He won by majority 174 votes in the National Assembly of Pakistan. [36] [37] Sharif will serve a term, at most of almost one year to fulfill Imran Khan's term until the 2023 Pakistani General Election, though the election may be called earlier.

On 3rd March 2024, Shehbaz Sharif was re-elected for the second time as the country's 24th Prime Minister. [38] [39] He won by majority in the National Assembly of Pakistan against Omar Ayub Khan in a disputed elections. [40]

Constitutional law

The Constitution envisages a scheme of affairs in which the president of Pakistan is the head of state who represents the "unity of the Republic." The system of government in Pakistan is based on codified constitution which sees the prime minister as "chief executive of the Republic."

Subject to the Constitution the Federation shall be exercised in the name of the President by the Federal Government, consisting of the Prime Minister and the Federal Ministers, which shall act through the Prime Minister, who shall be the chief executive of the Federation."

Article 90(1) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan, source [41]

The prime minister is also the chairman of the Council of Common Interests as set by:

1 There shall be a Council of Common Interests, in this Chapter referred to as the Council, to be appointed by the President

(2) The Council shall consist of-
(a) the Prime Minister who shall be the Chairman of the Council;
(b) the Chief Ministers of the Provinces;

(c) three members from the Federal Government to be nominated by the Prime Minister from time to time.

Article 153 in Chapter 3: Special Provisions of Part V: Relations between Federation and Provinces in the Constitution of Pakistan, source [42]

As in most of the parliamentary democracies, a head of state's duties are mostly ceremonial. The prime minister of Pakistan is the head of government and has the responsibility for executive power. With Pakistan following a parliamentary system of government, the Prime minister is generally the leader of a party (or coalition of parties) that has a majority in the National Assembly  —the lower house of the Parliament of Pakistan. The prime minister, in common with all other ministers, has to be a member of National Assembly. [41]

Role and powers

Prime Minister's Office in Islamabad, the principal workplace of the prime minister. House of the Prime Minister of Pakistan in Islamabad.jpg
Prime Minister's Office in Islamabad, the principal workplace of the prime minister.

The principal workplace of the prime minister is the Prime Minister's Office located in northeast Islamabad. The official residence, known as Prime Minister Enclave, is near the Prime Minister's Office. The prime minister is the chief executive who heads and exercises the authority of the Government of Pakistan. After obtaining a vote of confidence, the prime minister is invited by the president to take the oath of office and form the government. [41] In practice, the prime minister nominates the members of the Cabinet who supervise the important functions and ministries of the Government of Pakistan [41] and communicates to the president all decisions of the Cabinet relating to the administration of affairs of state and proposals for legislation. [43]

The prime minister, in consultation with the Cabinet, schedules and attends the sessions of the Parliament and is required to answer questions from members of parliament to the ministers. The prime minister makes appointments on various important positions, including:

Some specific ministries are usually allocated to the prime minister:

The prime minister is vested with command authority over the Pakistani nuclear arsenals and represents the country in various delegations, high-level meetings, and international organisations that require the attendance of the highest government office and also addresses the nation on various issues of national importance. [7]

Eligibility

The Constitution of Pakistan requires that the prime minister be a member of the National Assembly. [44] As well as this, one must:

Selection and removal

The candidates for the prime minister are members of the National Assembly who were chosen through direct elections by popular vote following campaigning on the party platforms. [46] Usually, the leader of the majority party in the parliament retains the office of prime minister, and forms the government either by coalition or by simple majority. [47] The candidate must retain the vote of confidence of the members of the parliament before being invited by the president to form the government. [41]

The prime minister can be removed before the expiry of the term through a vote of no confidence in the parliament. [41] If the vote of no confidence is passed by the National Assembly by a simple majority, the prime minister ceases to retain the office. [41] In the past, prime ministers (and their governments) have been dismissed by the president exercising the VIII Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan (1985), but this was repealed by the XVIII Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan (2010). [48] [49] The prime minister 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. [50]

In 2012, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ceased at least one prime minister from retaining the office due to contempt of court after retroactively disqualifying the membership of the parliament permanently. [51] [52]

On 28 July 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualified the prime minister Nawaz Sharif from retaining the office due to his failure in fulfilling the eligibility requirements as enshrined in Articles 62 of the Constitution. This was in the aftermath of the Supreme Court hearing regarding the Panama Papers Case. This also resulted in him being permanently disqualified from membership of the parliament. [53]

The prime minister is elected by the National Assembly. [54] The National Assembly meets on the twenty-first day after a general election (at least every five years) unless the president calls for a vote of no confidence. Whichever member of the National assembly is chosen serves as the prime minister until the next election or until he fails to maintain the confidence of the National Assembly.

91. The Cabinet:

(1) There shall be a Cabinet of Ministers, with the Prime Minister at its head, to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions.

(2) The National Assembly shall meet on the twenty-first day following the day on which a general election to the Assembly is held unless sooner summoned by the President.

(3) After the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the National Assembly shall, to the exclusion of any other business, proceed to elect without debate one of its Muslim members to be the Prime Minister.

(4) The Prime Minister shall be elected by the votes of the majority of the total membership of the National Assembly:

Provided that, if no member secures such majority in the first poll, a second poll shall be held between the members who secure the two highest numbers of votes in the first poll and the member who secures a majority of votes of the members present and voting shall be declared to have been elected as Prime Minister:

Provided further that, if the number of votes secured by two or more members securing the highest number of votes is equal, further poll shall be held between them until one of them secures a majority of votes of the members present and voting.

(5) The member elected under clause (4) shall be called upon by the President to assume the office of Prime Minister and he shall, before entering upon the office, make before the President oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule:

Provided that there shall be no restriction on the number of terms for the office of the Prime Minister.

Oath of office

The prime minister is required to make and subscribe to, in the presence of the president, an oath or affirmation that they shall protect, preserve and defend the Constitution as follows:

I, ____________, do swear solemnly that l am a Muslim and believe in the Unity and Oneness of Almighty Allah, the Books of Allah, the Holy Qura'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 Prime Minister 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 strive to preserve the Islamic Ideology which is the basis for the creation 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 favor, 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 Prime Minister except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as Prime Minister.

May Allah Almighty help and guide me (A'meen). [55]

See also

Notes

  1. The salary of Prime Minister of Pakistan is 2 Lakhs 1 thousand per month (9,50,574/month equivalent US$1,323) inclusive of all allowances and exclusive of the taxes, He is not receiving any payment from government. The salaries of federal ministers, state ministers, senators, high court judges, and president is more than the prime minister of Pakistan. [2] [3] [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Pakistan</span> Political system of Pakistan

The Politics of Pakistan takes place within the framework established by the constitution. The country is a federal parliamentary republic in which provincial governments enjoy a high degree of autonomy and residuary powers. Executive power is vested with the national cabinet which is headed by Prime Minister of Pakistan, who works with the bicameral parliament and the judiciary. Stipulations set by the constitution provide a delicate check and balance of sharing powers between executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government.

The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan allowed the President to unilaterally dissolve the National Assembly and elected governments. The National Assembly of Pakistan amended the Constitution of Pakistan in 1985 and the law stayed on the books until its repeal in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan Muslim League (N)</span> Conservative political party in Pakistan

The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (Urdu: پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن), abbr.PML(N) or PML-N) is a centre-right, conservative liberal political party in Pakistan. It is currently the third-largest party in the Senate. The party was founded in 1993, when a number of prominent conservative politicians in the country joined hands after the dissolution of Islamic Democratic Alliance, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The party's platform is generally conservative, which involves supporting free markets, deregulation, lower taxes and private ownership. Although the party historically supported social conservatism, in recent years, the party's political ideology and platform has become more liberal on social and cultural issues; however, members have been accused of using Islamist populist rhetoric. Alongside the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), it is one of the three major political parties of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Pakistan</span> Head of state of Pakistan

The President of Pakistan is the head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The president is the nominal head of the executive and the supreme commander of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The Presidency is a ceremonial position in Pakistan. The President is bound to act on advice of Prime Minister and cabinet. Arif Alvi is the 13th and current president, in office since 9 September 2018.

The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was an amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan passed in 1997, during the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League party. It subjected Members of Parliament to very strict party discipline. Party leaders received unlimited power to dismiss any of their legislators from Parliament if they spoke or voted against their party. The fourteenth amendment to the constitution of Pakistan was to prevent the switching of parties to form a strong coalition government or to become a strong opposition.

The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was a short-lived amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, adopted by the Parliament of Pakistan in 1997 by the civilian government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. It stripped the President of Pakistan of his reserve power to dissolve the National Assembly, and thereby triggering new elections and dismissing the Prime Minister. The Constitutional Amendment was supported by both the government and the opposition, and was thus passed unanimously. With the enforcing of this amendment, Pakistan's system of government was shifted from Semi-presidential system to Parliamentary democratic republic system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Assembly of Pakistan</span> Lower house of the Parliament of Pakistan

The National Assembly of Pakistan is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan, with the upper house being the Senate. As of 2023, the National Assembly has a maximum membership of 336, of which 266 are directly elected by an adult universal suffrage and a first-past-the-post system to represent their respective constituencies, while 70 are elected on reserved seats for women and religious minorities from all over the country. Members hold their seats for five years or until the house is dissolved by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The house convenes at the Parliament House, Red Zone, Islamabad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament of Pakistan</span> Bicameral national legislature of Pakistan

The Parliament of Pakistan is the supreme legislative body of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is a bicameral federal legislature, composed of the President of Pakistan and two houses: the Senate and the National Assembly. The president, as head of the legislature, has the power to summon or prorogue either house of the Parliament. The president can dissolve the National Assembly, only on the Prime Minister's advice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elections in Pakistan</span> Political elections for public offices in Pakistan

Since its establishment in 1947, Pakistan has had a non-symmetric federal government and is a federal parliamentary democratic republic. At the national level, the people of Pakistan elect a bicameral legislature, the Parliament of Pakistan. The parliament consists of a lower house called the National Assembly, which is elected directly, and an upper house called the Senate, whose members are chosen by elected provincial legislators. The head of government, the Prime Minister, is elected by the majority members of the National Assembly and the head of state, the President, is elected by the Electoral College, which consists of both houses of Parliament together with the four provincial assemblies. In addition to the national parliament and the provincial assemblies, Pakistan also has more than five thousand elected local governments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 Pakistani coup d'état</span> 1999 military takeover of government in Pakistan

The 1999 military takeover in Pakistan was a bloodless coup d'état initiated by the military staff at the Joint Staff HQ working under the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf. The instigators seized control of the civilian government of the publicly elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on 12 October 1999. On 14 October, General Musharraf, acting as the country's Chief Executive, issued a controversial provisional order that suspended the Constitution of Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shehbaz Sharif</span> 23rd and 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan since 2024

Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is a Pakistani politician and businessman who is currently serving as the 24th prime minister of Pakistan since March 2024, having previously served in the post from April 2022 to August 2023. He is the president of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N). Previously in his political career, he served as the Chief Minister of Punjab three times, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister of Punjab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Pakistani general election</span>

General elections were held in Pakistan on 10 October 2002 to elect the 12th National Assembly and four Provincial Assemblies. The elections were held under the military government of Pervez Musharraf. The two mainstream parties, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) had several restrictions imposed on them and their leaders Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were in exile. In order to address the restrictions, PPP created the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) under the leadership of Ameen Faheem, to contest the elections on its behalf. The PML-N meanwhile, suffering from the party's division into two factions: one that remained loyal to Sharif and were contesting the elections under the leadership of Javed Hashmi, and the other which had broken away to form the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q) under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Azhar. The emergence of the PML-Q marked the beginning of multi-party politics in the country, bringing an end to the decade-long two-party system between the PPP and PML-N.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabinet of Pakistan</span> Formal body of the Government of Pakistan

The Cabinet of Pakistan is a formal body composed of senior government officials chosen and led by the Prime Minister. All cabinet members sworn in are designated Minister and are seated at their respective ministries located in the Pakistan Secretariat.

The Eighteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Pakistan was passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on April 8, 2010, removing the power of the President of Pakistan to dissolve the Parliament unilaterally, turning Pakistan from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary republic, and renaming North-West Frontier Province to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It also gave self-governing, legislative and financial autonomy to provincial authorities. The package was intended to counter the sweeping powers amassed by the presidency under former presidents General Pervez Musharraf and General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and to ease political instability in Pakistan. The bill reversed many infringements on the Constitution of Pakistan over several decades by its military rulers. The amendment bill was passed by the Senate of Pakistan on April 15, 2010 and it became an act of parliament when President Asif Ali Zardari signed the bill on April 19, 2010. It was the first time in Pakistan's history that a president relinquished a significant part of his powers willingly and transferred them to parliament and the office of the prime minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryam Nawaz</span> Pakistani politician (born 1973)

Maryam Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani politician, currently serving as the Chief Minister of Punjab, in office since 26 February 2024. She is the daughter of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and her initial involvement in public life was through her family’s philanthropic organisations. However, her political career began in earnest in 2012 when she took charge of the election campaign for the 2013 general elections. Following the elections, she was appointed as the Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme in 2013. Despite her active role, she resigned from the position in 2014 after her appointment was legally challenged in the Lahore High Court.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Pakistani general election</span>

General elections were held in Pakistan on Saturday 11 May 2013 to elect the members of the 14th National Assembly and the four Provincial Assemblies. The three major parties were the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) led by Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) led by President Asif Ali Zardari and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan. Prior to the elections, the ruling PPP formed an alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and Awami National Party, while the main opposition party, the PML-N allied with the Pakistan Muslim League (F) and Baloch parties. The PTI led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, also emerged as a key-player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Pakistani general election</span>

General elections were held in Pakistan on 25 July 2018 to elect the members of the 15th National Assembly and the four Provincial Assemblies. The three major parties were Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan, the Pakistan Muslim League, led by Shehbaz Sharif, and the Pakistan People's Party, led by Bilawal Bhutto. The PTI won the most seats in the National Assembly but fell short of a majority; the party subsequently formed a coalition government with several smaller parties. At the provincial level, the PTI remained the largest party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP); the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) retained its dominance in Sindh; and the newly formed Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) emerged as the largest party in Balochistan. In Punjab, the result was a hung parliament, with the Pakistan Muslim League (N) winning the most seats. However, after several independent MPAs joined the PTI, the latter became the largest party and was able to form a government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No-confidence motion against Imran Khan</span> 2022 removal from office of the Pakistani prime minister

In April 2022, a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan led to his removal as the prime minister of Pakistan. Based largely on the Westminster system of legislature, the prime minister commands confidence of the majority of the lower house of Parliament, the National Assembly of Pakistan, under clause (2A) of Article 91 of the Constitution. Numerous opposition parties joined forces to file the motion of no confidence against Imran Khan in the National Assembly. It ultimately led to the removal of Khan from office as a majority passed the motion in the Lower House.

The constitutional crisis in Pakistan's Punjab province began on 28 March 2022, when Usman Buzdar tendered his resignation as Chief Minister at the request of Prime Minister Imran Khan and nominated former Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to replace him. On 1 April 2022, his resignation was accepted by then Governor of Punjab, Chaudary Mohammed Sarwar.

References

  1. "Heads of State, Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs" (PDF). UN. United Nations Foreign and Protocol Service.
  2. "No pay raise for Imran, says PM office". Dawn. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  3. "Prime Minister's monthly income less than parliamentarians, ministers and judges – Pakistan". Dunya News. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  4. "The salary that we are not paying the PM". Dawn News. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  5. Article 91(1) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  6. Article 153(2a)-153(2c) in Chapter 3: Special Provisions, Part V: Relations between Federation and Provinces in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  7. 1 2 Govt. of Pakistan (3 March 2010). "The National Command Authority Act, 2010" (PDF). Islamabad: National Assembly press. National Assembly press. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  8. Pakistan Country Study Guide Strategic Information and Developments. Intl Business Pubns USA. 2012. ISBN   978-1438775258.
  9. "Prime minister". BBC News . 16 October 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  10. Article 243(2)) in Chapter 2: The Armed Forces. Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  11. Article 46 in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  12. 1 2 "Pakistan Supreme Court orders arrest of PM Raja Pervez Ashraf". BBC. 15 January 2013.
  13. Singh, R.S.N. (2008). The military factor in Pakistan. New Delhi: Frankfort, IL. ISBN   978-0981537894.
  14. Mughal, M Yakub. "Special Edition (Liaqat Ali Khan)". The News International . Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  15. "The Constitution of 1956". Story of Pakistan. 1 June 2003. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  16. 1 2 Nagendra Kr. Singh (2003). Encyclopaedia of Bangladesh. Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 9–10. ISBN   978-81-261-1390-3.
  17. "The Constitution of 1962". Story of Pakistan. 1 June 2003. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  18. "The Constitution of Pakistan". infopak.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 9 November 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  19. Dossani, Rafiq; Rowen, Henry S. (2005). Prospects for Peace in South Asia. Stanford University Press. pp. 42–43. ISBN   978-0-8047-5085-1.
  20. "Benazir Bhutto Becomes Prime Minister". Story of Pakistan. 1 June 2003. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  21. Akbar, M.K (1 January 1998). "Pakistan Under Navaz Sharif". Pakistan Today. New Delhi, India: Mittal Publications. p. 230. ISBN   978-81-7099-700-9 . Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  22. "Pakistan after the coup: Special report". BBC News. 12 October 2000. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  23. 1 2 "Seventeenth Amendment 2003". Story of Pakistan. 1 June 2004. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  24. "Shaukat Aziz profile from BBC". BBC News. 19 August 2004. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  25. "Yousaf Raza Gillani profile from BBC". BBC News. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  26. "Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan" (PDF). National Assembly of Pakistan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 June 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  27. "Pak SC disqualifies Gilani; new PM to be selected soon". Hindustan Times . 19 June 2012. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  28. "Pakistan Peoples Party nominates Makhdoom Shahbuddin as new PM". The Times of India . 20 June 2012.
  29. 1 2 Nabi, Muhammad (22 June 2012). "Raja Pervez Ashraf nominated new Prime Minister of Pakistan". Business Recorder . Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  30. "Raja Pervez Ashraf declared new Pakistani PM". The Dawn. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  31. "PPP nominates Raja Pervez Ashraf as new Pakistan PM". The Times of India. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  32. "Pakistani court removes PM Nawaz Sharif from office in Panama Papers case". TheGuardian.com . 28 July 2017.
  33. Siddiqui, Zain (28 July 2017). "The technicality that led to Nawaz Sharif's disqualification". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  34. Raza, Syed Irfan (11 August 2018). "Imran to take oath as PM on August 18: PTI". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  35. "Imran Khan loses no-trust vote, prime ministerial term set for unceremonious end". Dawn. 9 April 2022.
  36. Dawn.com (11 April 2022). "Shehbaz Sharif elected prime minister of Pakistan". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  37. Zaman, Q. "Shehbaz Sharif elected as Pakistan's new prime minister". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  38. Desk, Web (3 March 2024). "Shahbaz Sharif elected as 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan". Hum NEWS. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  39. "Shehbaz Sharif wins Pakistan's top job for second time". Yahoo News. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  40. "Shehbaz Sharif 'elected' Pakistan PM weeks after disputed elections". WION. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Chapter 3: "The Federal Government" of Part III: "The Federation of Pakistan"". pakistani.org.
  42. "Chapter 3: "Special Provisions" of Part V: "Relations between Federation and Provinces"". pakistani.org.
  43. Article 46(a) in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan of the Constitution of Pakistan
  44. "Chapter 2: "Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)" of Part III: "The Federation of Pakistan"". pakistani.org.
  45. "Qualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)".
  46. Hanif, Mohammad (13 May 2013). "Pakistan elections: how Nawaz Sharif beat Imran Khan and what happens next". The Guardians, Pakistan Bureau. The Guardians. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  47. Boone, Jon (17 May 2013). "Nawaz Sharif: rightwing tycoon who has won over liberals – for now". The Guardians. The Guardians. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  48. Aziz, Mazhar (2007). The Military Control in Pakistan: The Parallel State. United States: Routledge. ISBN   978-1134074105 . Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  49. Omar, Imtiaz (2002). Emergency powers and the courts in India and Pakistan. England: Kluwer Law International. ISBN   978-9041117755.
  50. Article 248(1) in Chapter 4: constitutionGeneral of Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  51. Walsh, declan (19 June 2012). "Political Instability Rises as Pakistani Court Ousts Premier". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  52. Nauman, Qaiser (19 June 2012). "Pakistan Supreme Court disqualifies prime minister". Reuters. Reuters, Pakistan Bureau. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  53. "Pakistan Supreme Court disqualifies prime minister". Dawn. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  54. Article 91 in Chapter 3: of the Constitution of Pakistan.
  55. Article 91 in Chapter 3: The Federal Government in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan

Further reading