Prime Minister of Pakistan

Prime Minister of the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
وزیر اعظم

Standard of the Prime Minister of Pakistan
Incumbent
Nawaz Sharif
since 5 June 2013
Style His Excellency
(Diplomatic, outside of Pakistan)
Mr. Prime Minister
(informal)
Hon'ble Prime Minister
(Within Pakistan)
Member of
Reports to Parliament
Residence
Seat Constitution Avenue, ICT, Islamabad, Pakistan
Appointer Election Commission of Pakistan
by Convention held by National Assembly, based on appointee's ability to command confidence in the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Term length No term limits are imposed to office, so long as General Elections are held no more than five years apart.
Inaugural holder

Liaquat Ali Khan

as first Prime Minister.
Formation 14 August 1947 (1947-08-14)
Website www.pmo.gov.pk/
Pakistan
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Pakistan
Constitution
  • Politics portal

The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: وَزِیرِ اَعظَم‎ — Wazīr-ē Aʿẓam, Urdu pronunciation: [ʋəˈziːr-ˌeː ˈɑː.zəm]; lit. "Grand Vizier"), is the head of government of Pakistan and designated as the "chief executive of the Republic."[1][2] The Prime minister leads the executive branch of the government, oversees the economical growth, heads the Council of Common Interests as well as the Cabinet, and is vested with the command authority over the nuclear arsenals.[3][4][5]

This position places its holder in leadership of the nation who has control over all matters of internal and foreign policy.[6] The incumbent Prime Minister is Nawaz Sharif– a presiding figure of the conservative Pakistan Muslim League (N). Usually, a leader of the majority party in the parliament, the Prime Minister is directly elected through a popular vote and landslide victory by the people and is a senior member of the National Assembly. The Constitution of Pakistan vests the executive powers to the Prime minister and is responsible for appointing the Cabinet as well as running the executive branch, taking and authorising executive decisions, appointments and recommendations that require executive confirmation of the Prime Minister.[2]

Constitutionally, the Prime Minister serves as the chief adviser to President of Pakistan on critical matters and plays an influential role in appointment in each branch and the military leadership as well as ensuring the control of the military through chairman joint chiefs.[7][8] Powers of the Prime minister has significantly grown with a delicate system of the check and balance by each branch.[9] The position was in absent during years of 1960–73 and 1977-85 due to imposed martial law. In each of these periods, the military junta led by the President had the powers of the prime minister.[10]

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 executive authority of 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[11]

In addition, 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[12]

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, either has to be a current member of National Assembly, or be elected within six months of being appointed.[13]

Role and powers of the Prime minister

Prime Minister's Secretariat in Islamabad– the principal workplace of the Prime Minister.

The official residence and principal workplace of the Prime Minister is the Prime Minister's Secretariat— the cabinet secretariat located in the northeast Islamabad. The Prime Minister is the Chief Executive who heads and exercise authority of the Government of Pakistan. After gaining the vote of confidence, the Prime Minister is invited by the President to take oath and form the government.[14] In practice, the Prime Minister nominates to form the Cabinet as in-charge of the important functions and ministries of the Government of Pakistan.[15] In addition, the Prime Minister thoroughly communicates with the President all decisions of the Cabinet relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation.[16]

The Prime Minister, in consultation with the Cabinet, schedules and attends the sessions of the Parliament and is required to answer the question from the Members of Parliament to them as the in-charge of the portfolios in the capacity as Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Some specific ministries/department are not allocated to anyone in the cabinet but the prime minister himself. The prime minister is usually always in-charge/Chairman of:

The Prime minister is vested with the command authority over the 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 to the nation on various issues of national or other importance.[5]

Eligibility

The Constitution of Pakistan sets the principal qualifications that the candidate must meet to be eligible to the office of the Prime Minister.[17] A Prime Minister must be:

Selection and removal

The candidates for the prime ministerialship are elected through directly elected through popular vote and landslide victory that are campaigned on the party platforms.[18] Usually, the leader of the majority party in the parliament retains the office of prime minister who forms the government either by coalition or by simple majority.[19] The candidate must retain the vote of confidence be the members of the parliament before being invited by the President to form the government.[20]

The Prime Minister can be removed before the expiry of the term through the vote of no confidence in the parliament.[21] If the vote of no confidence is passed by the National Assembly by not less than 20%; the Prime Minister is ceases to retain the office.[22] In the past events, the Prime ministers (and their governments) have been dismissed by President by exercising the VIII Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan (1985) but it has been repealed by XVIII Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan (2010).[23][24] In addition, the Prime Minister 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.[25]

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.[26][27]

Oath of office

The prime minister is elected directly for a term of five years.[28] The incumbent Prime Minister is eligible for re-election to that office, but cannot hold that office for more than two consecutive terms.[29] The Prime Minister is required to make and subscribe in the presence of the President— an oath or affirmation that the prime ministershall 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, hon-estly, 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).

— Article 91 in Chapter 3: The Federal Governmentin Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan

Post Prime ministerialships

Chronological list of Prime Ministers with tenure

History

Liaquat Ali Khan (1889-1951).

The office 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 English Monarchy. The first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, exercised central executive powers until his assassination in 1951.[30] However, the powers slowly began to reduced as a result of constant intervention by the Governor-General. Despite the first set of the Constitution gave central power in 1956, the seven prime ministers were dismissed by the Governor-General from 1951 till 1957. In addition, the first set of the Constitution had evolved the Governor-General into the President of Pakistan whilst declaring the country as "Islamic republic".[31][32] In 1958, President Iskandar Mirza dismissed the eighth prime minister to impose martial; in a mere two weeks, President Mirza was ousted by army chief General Ayub Khan.

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.[32][33] Criticism over 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.[34] Amid agitation instigated by the right-wing alliance invited the military intervention in 1977 which suspended the post. The general elections held in 1985 allowed the post to be returned with Muhammad Junejo becoming the Prime Minister.[35][36] The elections features the controversial eighth amendment to the Constitution, giving powers to President to dismiss the Prime Minister and the National Assembly without prior consultation.[35][36] The general elections in 1988 resulted in PPP's Benazir Bhutto becoming the first women Prime Minister elected in a Muslim country.[37] From 1988–93, the power struggle between the Prime Minister and Presidency continued with President dismissing the National Assembly in three different occasions. In 1997 elections, the PML(N) secured two-thirds in the Parliament and drafted the XIII and XIV Amendment to reverse the eighth amendment to the Constitution; this allowed Nawaz Sharif centralizing the more executive powers.[38] After the draw down of the civil-military relations in 1999, Chairman joint chiefs General Pervez Musharraf staged a coup d'état against PML(N)'s government and held nationwide elections in 2002.[39] With no party gaining majority, a coalition was formed with PML(Q)– a breakaway of PML(N) and pro-Musharraf party– leading with MQM. After a political wrangling, Zafarullah Jamali became the Prime Minister who passed the XVII amendment which partially restoring the power of the President to dissolve the National Assembly, but making the dissolution subject to Supreme Court of Pakistan's approval.[40] Over the authority issues, Prime Minister Jamali resigned in 2004 and Shaukat Aziz was eventually appointed as Prime Minister who secured 151 out of 191 votes in the National Assembly.[41] The XVII amendment featured a semi-presidential system allowing the presidency to keep the interference executive and the judiciary.[40] The general elections in 2008 resulted in PPP coming to power and supported the movement to oust Pervez Musharraf.[42] A populist intellectual movement leading to depart Pervez Musharraf allowed Asif Zardari to become the President. In 2010, the XVIII Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed to reverse the XVII amendment; it turned back the country to parliamentary democratic republic. In addition, 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 delicate check and balance.[43]

Over the Contempt of court, the Supreme Court permanently disqualified Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani.[44] Originally, the PPP nomination was Makhdoom Shahbuddin,[45] but was forced to withdraw after ANF issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Shahbuddin.[46] Raja Pervaiz Ashraf became the Prime Minister who remained until 2013.[46][47][48][49] The general election held in 2013 saw the PML(N) achieved almost supermajority, following which Nawaz Sharif became elected as the Prime Minister, returning to the post for the third time after fourteen years, in a democratic transition.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Article 90(1) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  2. 1 2 "Prime minister". BBC News. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Article 91(1) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  4. ↑ Article 153(2a)-153(2c) in Chapter 3: Special Provisions, Part V: Relations between Federation and Provinces in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  5. 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.
  6. ↑ et. al (2012). Pakistan Country Study Guide Strategic Information and Developments. Intl Business Pubns USA. ISBN 1438775253.
  7. ↑ Article 243(2)) in Chapter 2: The Armed Forces. Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  8. ↑ Article 46 in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  9. ↑ "Pakistan Supreme Court orders arrest of PM Raja Pervez Ashraf". BBC. 15 January 2013.
  10. ↑ Singh, R.S.N. (2008). The military factor in Pakistan. New Delhi: Frankfort, IL. ISBN 0981537898.
  11. ↑ Article 90(1) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan
  12. ↑ Article 153 in Chapter 3: Special Provisions of Part V: Relations between Federation and Provinces in the Constitution of Pakistan
  13. ↑ Article 90(9) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan
  14. ↑ [http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch3.html Article 91(5) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan of the Constitution of Pakistan
  15. ↑ [http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch3.html Article 92(1) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan of the Constitution of Pakistan
  16. ↑ Article 46(a) in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan of the Constitution of Pakistan
  17. ↑ Article 62(1)(a)–62(1)(g) in Chapter 2: The Parliament: in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan of the Constitution of Pakistan
  18. ↑ 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.
  19. ↑ Boone, Jon (17 May 2013). "Nawaz Sharif: rightwing tycoon who has won over liberals – for now". The Guardians. The Guardians. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  20. ↑ Article 91(4)–91(5) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government: in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan of the Constitution of Pakistan
  21. ↑ Article 95(5) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government: in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan of the Constitution of Pakistan
  22. ↑ Article 95(4) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government: in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan of the Constitution of Pakistan
  23. ↑ Aziz, Mazhar (2007). The Military Control In Pakistan: The Parallel State. United States: Routledge. ISBN 1134074107. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  24. ↑ Omar, Imtiaz (2002). Emergency powers and the courts in India and Pakistan. England: KLUWER LAW INTERNATIONAL. ISBN 904111775X.
  25. ↑ Article 248(1) in Chapter 4:General of Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  26. ↑ Walsh, declan (19 June 2012). "Political Instability Rises as Pakistani Court Ousts Premier". New York Times, Pakistan Bureau. New York Times. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  27. ↑ Nauman, Qaiser (19 June 2012). "Pakistan Supreme Court disqualifies prime minister". Reuters, Pakistan Bureau. Reuters. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  28. ↑ Article 44(1)-(2) in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  29. ↑ Article 91 in Chapter 3: The Federal Governmentin Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
  30. ↑ Mughal, M Yakub. "Special Edition (Liaqat Ali Khan)". The News International. Daily Jang. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  31. ↑ "The Constitution of 1956". Story of Pakistan. 1 June 2003. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  32. 1 2 Nagendra Kr. Singh (2003). Encyclopaedia of Bangladesh. Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 9–10. ISBN 978-81-261-1390-3.
  33. ↑ "The Constitution of 1962". Story of Pakistan. 1 June 2003. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  34. ↑ "The Constitution of Pakistan". infopak.gov.pk. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  35. 1 2 Pakistan, Zia and after. Abhinav Publications. 1989. pp. 20–35. ISBN 978-81-7017-253-6.
  36. 1 2 Rafiq Dossani (2005). Prospects for Peace in South Asia. Stanford University Press. pp. 46–50. ISBN 978-0-8047-5085-1.
  37. ↑ "Benazir Bhutto Becomes Prime Minister". Story of Pakistan. 1 June 2003. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  38. ↑ Akbar, M.K. "Pakistan Under Navaz Sharif". Pakistan Today. New Delhi, India: Mittal Publications. p. 230. ISBN 81-7099-700-3. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  39. ↑ "Pakistan after the coup: Special report". BBC News. 12 Oct 2000. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  40. 1 2 "Seventeenth Amendment 2003". Story of Pakistan. 1 June 2004. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  41. ↑ "Shaukat Aziz profile from BBC". BBC News. 19 Aug 2004. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  42. ↑ "Yousaf Raza Gillani profile from BBC". BBC News. 19 Jun 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  43. ↑ "Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan" (PDF). National Assembly of Pakistan. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  44. ↑ "Pak SC disqualifies Gilani; new PM to be selected soon". Hindustan Times. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  45. ↑ "Pakistan Peoples Party nominates Makhdoom Shahbuddin as new PM". The Times of India. 20 June 2012.
  46. 1 2 Nabi, Muhammad (22 June 2012). "Raja Pervez Ashraf nominated new Prime Minister of Pakistan". Business Recorder. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  47. ↑ "Raja Pervez Ashraf declared new Pakistani PM". The Dawn. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  48. ↑ "PPP nominates Raja Pervez Ashraf as new Pakistan PM". The Times of India. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  49. ↑ "Pakistan Supreme Court orders arrest of PM Raja Pervez Ashraf". BBC. 15 January 2013.

Further reading

External links

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