President of Pakistan

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The President of Pakistan (Urdū: صدر مملکت Sadr-e-Mamlikat) is Head of State of Pakistan. Pakistan has a semi-presidential system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by an electoral college to serve a five-year term. The electoral college comprises the Senate, National Assembly and the provincial assemblies. The President may be elected but may not serve for more than two consecutive terms. The president may also be impeached and subsequently removed from office by a two-thirds vote by the Parliament. The President must also be a Muslim.

The position of President in Pakistan has traditionally been one of a figurehead, with actual powers lying with the prime minister. However, at various times in history, often related with military coups and the subsequent return of civilian governments, changes in the Constitution of Pakistan have altered the powers and privileges associated with the office of the President. The current constitution gives the President reserve powers - subject to Supreme Court approval or veto - to dissolve the National Assembly of Pakistan, triggering new elections, and thereby to dismiss the Prime Minister. The President also chairs the National Security Council and appoints the heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

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[edit] History of the Presidency

In 1947, Pakistan became a dominion within the British Commonwealth with the British Monarch as head of state, represented by the Governor-General of Pakistan. In 1956 Pakistan established its first constitution and became a Republic, and the positions of Queen and Governor-General were replaced by the President.

Pakistan's first president was Iskandar Mirza, who was also the last Governor General. In 1958, he abrogated the constitution and declared martial law. A few weeks later, he was overthrown in a bloodless coup d'état by General Ayub Khan, who had declared himself president. The constitution was revised, and the president became the ruler of Pakistan. The constitution also stipulated that the president be elected by the people. Elections were held in 1963, and Khan defeated Fatima Jinnah, sister of founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Ayub Khan continued as president until March 25, 1969, when he passed the presidency to Yahya Khan. Yahya Khan stepped down after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto became the new president and presided over the formation of a new constitution. This constitution was completed in 1973, and reduced the presidency to a figurehead position, giving power to the Prime Minister. Bhutto stepped down as President and became Prime Minister, symbolizing the transition. The President was henceforth elected by legislative assembly members, not by popular vote. Popular vote would be used to directly elect the members of the National Assembly, including the Prime Minister.

In 1978, Prime Minister Bhutto was toppled by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who declared himself President. The presidency again became the premier position in the Pakistani government. Zia introduced the Eighth Amendment, which gave reserve powers to the President's office. Zia died in 1988 and the Prime Minister's office regained leadership of the country. The Presidency retained its reserve powers until 1997, when the Thirteenth Amendment was passed.

However, the 1999 coup of General Pervez Musharraf brought executive powers back to the President's office. National and provincial elections were held in 2002. In December 2003, the Seventeenth Amendment partially restored the President's reserve powers, but made the exercise of those powers subject to Supreme Court approval or veto within 30 days. In January 2004, the Electoral College gave Musharraf a vote of confidence, as result of which he was (according to the Constitution) "deemed to be elected". Musharraf's term of office as President is set to end in 2007.

[edit] Presidents of the Republic

The head of state of Pakistan before 1956 was the British Monarch. For the Governors-General who represented them from 1947 to 1956, see Governor-General of Pakistan.

No. Name Took Office Left Office Political Party
01 Major General Iskander Mirza March 23, 1956 October 27, 1958 Republican Party
02 Muhammad Ayub Khan October 27, 1958 March 25, 1969 Military
03 Yahya Khan March 25, 1969 December 20, 1971 Military
04 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto December 20, 1971 August 13, 1973 Pakistan People's Party
05 Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry August 13, 1973 September 16, 1978 Pakistan People's Party
06 Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq September 16, 1978 August 17, 1988 Military
07 Ghulam Ishaq Khan August 17, 1988 July 18, 1993 No party
08 Wasim Sajjad July 18, 1993 November 14, 1993 Pakistan Muslim League (N)
09 Farooq Leghari November 14, 1993 December 2, 1997 Pakistan People's Party
10[1] Wasim Sajjad December 2, 1997 January 1, 1998 Pakistan Muslim League (N)
11 Muhammad Rafiq Tarar January 1, 1998 June 20, 2001 Pakistan Muslim League (N)
12 Pervez Musharraf June 20, 2001 In Office Military

[edit] Line of Succession to President of Pakistan

Flag of the President of Pakistan
Flag of the President of Pakistan

Pakistan had a parliamentary system of government that has been modified several times since its inception.

The constitution does not allow for a Vice President, but the President of the Senate of Pakistan officiates in the absence of the President and takes over on the President's death or removal from office. See Article 48 of the Constitution at [1]. The Electoral College of Pakistan is responsible for electing a new president.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Interim

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar		 President of Pakistan
Pervez Musharraf
June 20, 2001 – present		 Incumbent


Presidents of Pakistan Flag of the President of Pakistan
Mirza  | A Khan  | Y Khan  | Bhutto  | Chaudhry  | ul-Haq  | I Khan  | Sajjad  | Leghari  | Sajjad  | Tarar  | Musharraf
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