Complete Governmental Structure of Pakistan
The government in Pakistan is composed of the executive, legislative &
judicature branches
The Executive Government
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the Head
of Government of Pakistan and designated as the Chief Executive of the Republic, who
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. He is also a leader of the nation who has control over all
matters of internal and foreign policy.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the members of the National Assembly through a vote.
The Prime Minister is assisted by the Federal Cabinet, a Council of Ministers whose
members are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Federal
Cabinet comprises of the ministers, ministers of state, and advisers.
The Parliament
The bicameral federal legislature consists of the Senate (upper house) and National
Assembly (lower house). According to Article 50 of the Constitution, the National Assembly,
the Senate and the President together make up a body known as the Majlis-i-Shoora
(Council of Advisers).
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Complete Governmental Structure of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the ceremonial
Head of the State and a figurehead who is a civilian Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan
Armed Forces as per the Constitution of Pakistan and a leader of the nation.
The President is kept informed by the Prime Minister on all the matters of internal and
foreign policy as well as on all legislative proposals. Constitution of Pakistan vest the
President the powers of granting the pardons, reprieves, and the control of the military;
however, all appointments at higher commands of the military must be made by President
on a “required and necessary” on consultation and approval from the Prime Minister. In
addition, the constitution prohibits the President from exercising the authority of running
the government.
The Senate
The Senate is a permanent legislative body with equal representation from each of the four
provinces, elected by the members of their respective provincial assemblies. There are
representatives from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and from Islamabad
Capital Territory. The Chairman of the Senate, under the constitution, is next in line to act
as President should the office become vacant and until such time as a new president can be
formally elected.
Both the Senate and the National Assembly can initiate and pass legislation except for
finance bills. Only the National Assembly can approve the federal budget and all finance
bills. In the case of other bills, the President may prevent passage unless the legislature in
joint sitting overrules the President by a majority of members of both houses present and
voting. Unlike the National Assembly, the Senate cannot be dissolved by the President.
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Complete Governmental Structure of Pakistan
National Assembly of Pakistan
Members of the National Assembly are elected by universal adult suffrage (eighteen years
of age). Seats are allocated to each of the four provinces, the Federally Administered Tribal
Areas, and Islamabad Capital Territory on the basis of population. National Assembly
members serve for the parliamentary term, which is five years, unless they die or resign
sooner, or unless the National Assembly is dissolved.
Although the vast majority of the members are Muslim, about 5% of the seats are reserved
for minorities, including Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs. There are also 50+ special seats for
women now, and women are selected by their respective party heads.
The Jurisdiction
The Judiciary includes the Supreme Court, Provincial High Courts, District & Sessions
Courts, Civil and Magistrate Courts exercising civil and criminal jurisdiction. Some Federal
and Provincial Courts and tribunals such as Services Court, Income Tax & Excise Court,
Banking Court and Boards of Revenue’s Tribunals are established in all provinces as well.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction. The Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court is appointed by the President; the other Supreme Court judges are
appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice and
other Judges of the Supreme Court may remain in office until age of sixty-eight years.
Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan
The Federal Shariat Court (FSC) of Pakistan is a court which has the power to examine and
determine whether the laws of the country comply with Shari’a law. It consists of 8 Muslim
judges appointed by the President of Pakistan after consulting the Chief Justice of this
Court. Of the 8 judges, 3 are required to be Ulema who are well versed in Islamic law. The
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Complete Governmental Structure of Pakistan
judges hold office for a period of 3 years, which may eventually be extended by the
President.
If any part of the law is declared to be against Islamic law, the government is required to
take necessary steps to amend such law appropriately. The court also exercises revisional
jurisdiction over the criminal courts, deciding Hudood cases. The decisions of the court are
binding on the High Courts as well as subordinate judiciary. The court appoints its own staff
and frames its own rules of procedure.
Provincial and High Courts
Currently all four provinces; Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtun Khwah and Baluchistan have
High Courts. After the approval of 18th Constitutional Amendment in April 2010, a new
High Court is established at Federal Capital Islamabad with the name of Islamabad High
Court. Judges appointments are proposed by a Parliamentary Commission.
In addition, there are special courts and tribunals to deal with specific kinds of cases, such
as drug courts, commercial courts, labor courts, traffic courts, an insurance appellate
tribunal, an income tax appellate tribunal, and special courts for bank offences. There are
also special courts to try terrorists. Appeals from special courts go to high courts except for
labor and traffic courts, which have their own forums for appeal. Appeals from the tribunals
go to the Supreme Court.
Ombudsman / Mohtasib
A further feature of the judicial system is the office of Mohtasib (Ombudsman), which is
provided for in the constitution. The office of Mohtasib was established in many early
Muslim states to ensure that no wrongs were done to citizens. Appointed by the president,
the Mohtasib holds office for four years; the term cannot be extended or renewed.
The Mohtasib’s purpose is to institutionalize a system for enforcing administrative
accountability, through investigating and rectifying any injustice done to a person through
maladministration by a federal agency or a federal government official. The Mohtasib is
empowered to award compensation to those who have suffered loss or damage as a result of
maladministration. This institution is designed to bridge the gap between administrator and
citizen, to improve administrative processes and procedures, and to help curb misuse of
discretionary powers.
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Complete Governmental Structure of Pakistan
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Complete Governmental Structure of Pakistan
Courtesy: National Democratic Foundation
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