Edit filter log

'{{For|a comprehensive list|List of heads of state of Pakistan}} {{Short description|Head of state of Pakistan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox Political post | post = President | body = Pakistan | native_name = {{Nastaliq|صدرِ پاکستان}} | insignia = Coat of arms of Pakistan.svg | insigniasize = 75px | insigniacaption = [[State emblem of Pakistan]] | flag = Flag of the President of Pakistan.svg{{!}}border | flagsize = 120px | flagcaption = {{nowrap|[[Presidential Standard of Pakistan]]}} | image = President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi.jpg | caption = | incumbent = [[Arif Alvi]] | incumbentsince = 9 September 2018 | style = [[The Honourable|Honourable President]]<br>(formal)<br />[[Excellency|His Excellency]]<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1=Gupta|editor-first1=K. R.|title=India-Pakistan relations with special reference to Kashmir|date=2006|publisher=Atlantic Publ. and Distributors|location=New Delhi|isbn=8126906723}}</ref><br>(diplomatic)<br />[[Mr. President (title)|Mr President]] (informal) | department = [[Politics of Pakistan#Executive branch|Head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan]]<br>[[Politics_of_Pakistan#Executive_branch|Executive branch of the Government of Pakistan]] | type = [[Head of state]] | succession = [[Line of succession to the President of Pakistan|Line of succession]] | deputy = [[Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan|Chairman of the Senate]] | residence = [[Aiwan-e-Sadr]], [[Red Zone (Islamabad)|Red Zone]], [[Islamabad]] | appointer = [[Electoral College of Pakistan|Electoral College]] | constituting_instrument = [[Constitution of Pakistan]] | termlength = Five years<br />(Renewable once) | salary = {{Currency| 846550|PKR}} per month<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1721342/1-govt-wants-double-presidents-salary/|title=Govt wants to double president's salary|date=29 May 2018|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1527760155_906.pdf |title=Data |publisher=www.na.gov.pk |access-date=2020-06-09}}</ref> | formation = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|1956|03|23}} | seat = [[Aiwan-e-Sadr]], [[Red Zone (Islamabad)|Red Zone]], [[Islamabad]] | precursor = [[Monarch of Pakistan]] | inaugural = [[Iskander Mirza]] | website = [http://www.president.gov.pk President of Pakistan] }} {{Politics of Pakistan}} The '''president of Pakistan''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|صدرِ پاکستان}}|translit=s̤adr-i Pākistān}}), is the [[head of state]] of the [[Pakistan|Islamic Republic of Pakistan]]. The president is the nominal head of the [[Government of Pakistan#Executive branch|executive]] and the [[commander-in-chief|supreme commander]] of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]].<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Article 243(3)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321055201/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html |date=2015-03-21}} in Chapter 2: The Armed Forces. Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.</ref><ref name="Article 411">[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 41(1)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> [[Arif Alvi]] is the 13th and current president, in office since 9 September 2018. The office of president was created upon the [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1956|proclamation of Islamic Republic]] on 23 March 1956. The then serving [[Governor-General of Pakistan|governor-general]], [[Major-General]] [[Iskander Mirza]], assumed office as the first president. Following the [[1958 Pakistani coup d'etat|1958 ''coup d'etat'']], the office of [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister]] was abolished, leaving the Presidency as the most powerful office in the country. This position was further strengthened when the [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1962|1962 Constitution]] was adopted. It turned Pakistan into a [[Presidential Republic]], giving all executive powers to the president. In 1973, the [[Constitution of Pakistan|new Constitution]] established [[Parliamentary democracy]] and reduced the president's role to a ceremonial one. Nevertheless, the [[Operation Fairplay|military takeover in 1977]] reversed the changes. The [[Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|8th Amendment]] turned Pakistan into a [[semi-presidential republic]] and in the period between 1985 and 2010, the executive power was shared by the president and prime minister. The [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|18th Amendment]] in 2010 restored [[Parliamentary Democracy]] in the country, and reduced the presidency to a ceremonial position.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan moves to roll back presidential powers |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-02-la-fg-pakistan-zardari3-2010apr03-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2 April 2010}}</ref> The constitution prohibits the president from directly running the [[Government of Pakistan|government]].<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 43(1)–43(2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.</ref> Instead, the executive power is exercised on his behalf by the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister]] who keeps him informed on all matters of internal and [[Foreign policy of Pakistan|foreign policy]], as well as all legislative proposals.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 46] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> The Constitution however, vests the president with the powers of granting [[Clemency|pardons, reprieves]], and the [[Civilian control of the military|control]] over [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|military]]; however, all appointments at higher commands of the [[Pakistani military|military]] must be made by the President on a "required and necessary" basis, upon [[Advice and consent|consultation and approval]] from the prime minister.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Article 243(2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321055201/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html |date=2015-03-21}} in Chapter 2: The Armed Forces. Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.</ref> The president is indirectly elected by the [[Electoral College (Pakistan)|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 the Senate of Pakistan|chairman of Senate]] exercises the responsibilities of the post, until the actual president resumes office, or the next office holder is [[Elections in Pakistan|elected]]. There have been a total of [[List of presidents of Pakistan|13 presidents]]. The first president was [[Iskander Ali Mirza]] who entered office on 23 March 1956. The current office holder is [[Sadiq Sanjrani|Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani]]. who took charge on 9 September 2023, following his victory in the [[2018 Pakistani presidential election|2018 elections]]. ==Powers and authority== ===Role of the president=== [[File:Pakistan cavalry honor guard.jpeg|thumb|left|250px|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 [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] [[Parliament of Pakistan|Parliament]].<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch2.html Article 50] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204191633/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch2.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> Powers to exercise the authority are limited to the [[figurehead|ceremonial figurehead]], and required to [[State of the union address|address]] the Parliament to give a direction for [[Policy studies|national policies]] before being informed of its key decisions.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 46] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref><ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch2.html Article 54] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204191633/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch2.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref><ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch2.html Article 56] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204191633/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch2.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> In addition, the president is also a civil [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]], with [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|chairman joint chiefs]] being its chief military adviser to maintain the [[Civilian control of the military|civilian control]] of the Pakistani military.<ref>Article 243(3) in Chapter 2: The Armed Forces. Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.</ref> After a thorough confirmation comes from the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister]], the president confirms the [[Judiciary of Pakistan|judicial appointments]] in the national [[Court system of Pakistan|court system]].<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part7.ch1.html Article 175A(3)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704064631/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part7.ch1.html |date=2014-07-04}} in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref><ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part7.ch2.html Article 177A(1)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528034123/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part7.ch2.html |date=2015-05-28}} in Chapter 2:The Supreme Court of Pakistan of Part VII in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]</ref> In addition, the [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]] allows the president to grant [[Clemency|pardons, reprieves, and clemency]] in cases recommended to him by the [[Government of Pakistan|executive]] and the [[Court system of Pakistan|judiciary]].<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 45] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 2:The Parliament of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> 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.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch4.html Article 248(1)] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140603233302/http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch4.html |date=2014-06-03}} in Chapter 4:General of Part XII: Miscellaneous in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> {{blockquote|text= There shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the [[Head of State]] and shall represent the "unity of the Republic."|sign=[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 41] in Chapter 1: The President of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]|source=source<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 41] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]</ref>}} From 2000 until 2009, the president was the [[Chairperson|chairman]] of the [[National Security Council of Pakistan|National Security Council]] who had authority and control over the [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear and strategic arsenals]]; however, the chairmanship and the powers transferred back to the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister]].<ref name="National Assembly press">{{cite news|last1=Govt. of Pakistan|title=The National Command Authority Act, 2010|url=http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1300934560_193.pdf|access-date=6 May 2015|agency=National Assembly press|publisher=National Assembly press|date=3 March 2010|location=Islamabad|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071051/http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1300934560_193.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref> Furthermore, the presidential [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|powers have significantly declined]] with Pakistan's government reversed to a [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[Parliamentary democracy|democratic]] [[Parliamentary republic|republic]].<ref>See: The [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|XVIII Amendment]] to the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> ===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.<ref name="Article 412">[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 41(2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> A president has to be: * A [[Pakistani citizenship|citizen]] of [[Pakistan]]<ref name="Article 411"/> * A [[Muslims|Muslim]]<ref name="Article 412"/> * At least 45 years of age<ref name="Article 412"/> * Qualified to be elected as member of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]]<ref name="Article 412"/> Whenever the ''[[Aiwan-e-Sadr]]'' becomes vacant, the selection of president is done by the [[Electoral College (Pakistan)|electoral college]], which consists of both houses of [[Parliament of Pakistan|Parliament]] (the [[Senate of Pakistan|Senate]] and [[National Assembly (Pakistan)|National Assembly]]) and the [[Administrative units of Pakistan|four]] [[:Category:Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan|provincial assemblies]].<ref name="Telegraph, Pakistan Bureau">{{cite news|last1=Crilly|first1=Rob|title=Pakistan election guide: How does it work?|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/10047665/Pakistan-election-guide-How-does-it-work.html|access-date=18 May 2015|agency=Telegraph|publisher=Telegraph, Pakistan Bureau|date=10 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214200122/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/10047665/Pakistan-election-guide-How-does-it-work.html|archive-date=14 February 2016}}</ref> The [[Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan|chief election commissioner]] has to conduct elections to the office of the president in a special session.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 41(3)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> [[Voting system|Voting]] takes place in secrecy.<ref name="News International, 2013">{{cite news|last1=APP|first1=Associate Press of Pakistan|title=706 Electoral College members to elect 12th President of Pakistan|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-110976-706-Electoral-College-members-to-elect-12th-President-of-Pakistan#sthash.AXGQ16K3.dpuf|access-date=18 May 2015|agency=News International|publisher=News International, 2013|date=25 July 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802225748/http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-110976-706-Electoral-College-members-to-elect-12th-President-of-Pakistan#sthash.AXGQ16K3.dpuf|archive-date=2 August 2013}}</ref> Each elector casts a different number of votes.<ref name="News International, 2013"/> 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.<ref name="News International, 2013"/> 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).<ref name="News International, 2013"/> 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.<ref name="News International, 2013"/> ===Election and oath=== The president is [[Elections in Pakistan|elected]] [[Indirect election|indirectly]] for a term of five years.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 44(1)-(2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> The incumbent president is eligible for re-election to that office, but cannot hold that office for more than two consecutive terms.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 44(2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> The president is required to make and subscribe in the presence of the [[Chief Justice of Pakistan|chief justice]]—, an oath or affirmation that the president shall protect, preserve and defend the Constitution as follows: {{Quotation|I, (The name of the President-elect), do solemnly swear that I am a [[Muslim]] and believe in the [[Monotheism in Islam|Unity, and Oneness]] of Almighty [[Allah]], the [[Islamic holy books|Books of Allah]], the [[Quran|''Holy Qur'an'']] being the last of them, the [[Prophet of Islam|Prophethood]] of [[Muhammad]] ([[Peace be upon him (Islam)|peace be upon him]]) [[Seal of the Prophets|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).<ref>In Urdu, {{center| بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم }} <br/> 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۔ |[http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/schedules/schedule3.html Article 42] in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]|source=}}</ref> ===Line of succession and removal=== {{Main|Line of succession to the President of Pakistan}} The Constitution discusses the possibility of an acting president.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 49(1)-(2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> 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|chairman]] of the [[Senate of Pakistan]] * The [[speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan]].<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 49(1)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> 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]].<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 47(1)-(2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> 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.<ref name="Article 473">[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 47(3)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> The charges are contained in a notice that has to be signed by either the [[Chairman Senate|chairman]] or the [[Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan|speaker of the National Assembly]] through a [[Two-thirds rule|two-thirds]] majority.<ref name="Article 473"/> The notice is sent up to the president, and 14 days later it is taken up for consideration.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 47(5)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> A resolution to impeach the president has to be passed by the [[Two-thirds rule|two-thirds]] majority.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 47(6)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> The [[Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan|speaker of the National Assembly]] then summons the joint session not earlier than seven days.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 47(6)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> The president has the right to defend oneself.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 47(7)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> If the resolution is passed by the [[Two-thirds rule|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.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 47(8)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192606/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html |date=2016-02-04}} in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> No president has been impeached. However, the proceedings have been used in 2008 in [[Movement to impeach Pervez Musharraf|an attempt to impeach]] former president [[Pervez Musharraf]] who tendered the resignation after the proceedings above were used.<ref>See: [[Movement to impeach Pervez Musharraf]]</ref> ==List of presidents== {{Main|List of presidents of Pakistan|List of heads of state of Pakistan}} ==Political background== [[File:Presidential Standard of Pakistan (1956-1967).svg|thumb|right|250px|Presidential standard (1956–1967)]] ===Early origins=== From 1947 until 1956, the [[Governor-General of Pakistan|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 [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1956|first]] [[Constitution of Pakistan|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 [[1958 Pakistani coup d'état|suspended the]] first constitution in 1958, and appointed [[Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army|Army commander-in-chief]] General [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Ayub Khan]] as the first [[Chief Martial Law Administrator|chief martial law administrator]]. Khan subsequently dismissed Mirza in order to become the president. [[File:Iskander Mirza.jpg|thumb|223x223px|[[Iskander Mirza]] became the 1st President of Pakistan in 1956]] The [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1962|second]] constitution introduced by President Ayub Khan turned the country into a [[presidential republic]] without [[Elections in Pakistan|direct elections]]. Succumbing to internal and international pressure, however, Khan held a nationwide [[1965 Pakistani presidential election|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 Ayub Khan. [[File:Presidential standard of Pakistan (1974–1998).svg|thumb|left|200px|Presidential standard (1974–1998)]] Controversy regarding the [[1960 U-2 incident|U-2 incident]] (1960), [[Privatisation in Pakistan|privatization]] (1963), and [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1965|war]] with [[India]] (1965), fueled a fierce [[Socialism in Pakistan|left-wing]] opposition movement led by [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] of the [[Pakistan Peoples Party|PPP]] and [[Bengali nationalism|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]], [[Legal Framework Order, 1970|who imposed martial law]] and announced that national elections would be held in 1970. Eventually, [[1970 Pakistani general election|general elections]] were held in 1970 which saw the [[Pakistan Peoples Party|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 of Pakistan|prime minister]], and also appointed him as the first [[Vice President of Pakistan|vice president]]. The growing instigated violence against [[Pakistanis]] in East Pakistan forced President Yahya Khan to use [[Operation Searchlight|force]] in order to maintain [[Law and order (politics)|order]] there, which further escalated [[Bangladesh Liberation War|Bengali resistance]] (1970). [[Operation Chengiz Khan|Preemptive strikes]] against [[India]] led to another [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1971|war]] in 1971, which [[Independence of Bangladesh|freed]] [[East Pakistan]] and created [[Bangladesh]]. Taking personal responsibility for the political isolation and devastation of [[Pakistan]] after the [[Fall of Dhaka|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 [[1977 Pakistani general election|general elections]] held in 1977 resulted in an atmosphere of civil unrest instigated by the [[Conservatism in Pakistan|right-wing]] alliance, the [[Pakistan National Alliance]]. The events leading to it resulted in [[Operation Fair Play|military intervention]] by [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|chief of army staff]] General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]] and [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman Joint Chiefs]] Admiral [[Mohammad Shariff]]. Suspending the [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]] in 1977, General Zia-ul-Haq took over the presidency in 1978. Zia's [[Zia regime|presidency]] oversaw the modern growth of [[Islamic fundamentalism|far-right ideas]] in the country. Succumbing to domestic pressure to restore the [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]], President Zia-ul-Haq held a [[1984 Pakistani Islamisation programme referendum|referendum]] (1984) and called for [[1985 Pakistani general election|general elections]] in 1985. President Zia-ul-Haq appointed [[Mohammad Khan Junejo|Mohammad Junejo]] as [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister]] and assumed more [[Political power|powers]] through the [[Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|constitutional amendment]]. After dismissing Prime Minister Junejo, President Zia-ul-Haq announced that new general elections would be held, but President Zia [[Death of Zia-ul-Haq|died in a plane crash]] in 1988. The [[1988 Pakistani general election|general elections]] held in 1988 witnessed the victory of [[Pakistan Peoples Party|PPP]] in 1988 and appointed Senate [[Chairman 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 [[Corruption charges against Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari|leveled charges]] against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto; thus [[Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|dismissing]] Prime Minister Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1990. After holding [[1988 Pakistani general election|general elections]] in 1990, [[Nawaz Sharif]] brought up an ideologically [[First Sharif ministry|conservative government]] and President Ghulam Ishaq Khan unsuccessfully tried to dismiss Sharif. After a successful intervention by [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|Supreme Court]] and [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman of the Joint Chiefs]] General [[Shamim Alam Khan|Shamim Allam]], President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tendered resignations in 1993. Following the [[1993 Pakistani general election|new elections]] held in 1993, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto established a strong government after appointing loyalist [[Farooq Leghari]] to the presidency. However, the [[Corruption charges against Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari|corruption charges]] and the controversial death of [[Murtaza Bhutto]] in 1996 resulted in President Farooq Leghari [[Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|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 Pakistani general election|1997]]. President Leghari unsuccessfully supported [[Chief Justice of Pakistan|Chief Justice]] [[Sajjad Ali Shah]]— both of them resigned, ending the conflict between the [[Judiciary of Pakistan|Judiciary]], the [[Prime Minister's Secretariat (Pakistan)|Executive]], and the [[Parliament of Pakistan|Parliament]]. After appointing [[Rafiq Tarar]], the Parliament successfully passed [[Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|constitutional amendment]] to decisively limit the presidency. After staging a controversial [[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|self coup]] in 1999, General [[Pervez Musharraf]] dismissed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Rafiq Tarar in 2001 while assuming more [[Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|powers to the presidency]]. In January 2004, the [[Electoral College of Pakistan|Electoral College]] [[2004 Pakistani presidential election|elected]] Musharraf, and as a result he was, according to the Constitution, "deemed to be elected".<ref>{{cite news|last=Waldman|first=Amy|title=Pakistan Gives Musharraf Confidence Vote as President|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/02/international/asia/02STAN.html?ex=1388379600&en=a5ffeee2a4e1367a&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2 January 2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515004758/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/02/international/asia/02STAN.html?ex=1388379600&en=a5ffeee2a4e1367a&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND|archive-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> President Musharraf's repeated unconstitutional intervention resulted in a standoff with the Judiciary, and declared a [[2007 Pakistani martial law|state of emergency]] in 2007, after dismissing the [[List of Justices of Supreme Court of Pakistan|senior justices]] of the Supreme Court. Although Musharraf was [[2007 Pakistani presidential election|elected in 2007]], the constitutional legality of Musharraf's rule was found dubious. A populist [[Lawyer's movement|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.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121021144149/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-08-22/pakistan/27934814_1_pml-n-asif-ali-zardari-ppp timesofindia.indiatimes.com "Pakistan presidential poll on September 6."]''Times of India.'' 22 August 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/5930497/Pakistan-to-choose-president-on-6-September radionetherlands.nl ''Pakistan to choose president on 6 September.''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924040217/http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/5930497/Pakistan-to-choose-president-on-6-September |date=2008-09-24}} Radio Netherlands.</ref> ===Figurehead overview=== [[File:Pakistani President Arif Alvi visits Maritime Ministry, flanked by Minister Ali Zaidi and Federal Secretary Rizwan Ahmed.jpg|thumb|President [[Arif Alvi]] visits Maritime Ministry, flanked by [[Ali Haider Zaidi|Ali Zaidi]] and [[Rizwan Ahmed (civil servant)|Rizwan Ahmed]]]] After the [[2008 Pakistani presidential election|presidential election]] held in 2008, [[Asif Ali Zardari]] lobbied for [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|constitutional amendment]] to restore the [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]] as it was in 1973.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pakistans_presidential_poll_today_Zardari_front-runner/articleshow/3451196.cms "Pakistan's presidential poll today, Zardari front runner."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103141203/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pakistans_presidential_poll_today_Zardari_front-runner/articleshow/3451196.cms |date=2009-01-03}} ''Times of India.''</ref><ref>[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jwCcx11NqhunSNBZD7-my_37q0PA afp.google.com "Bhutto's widower set to become Pakistan president."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909060813/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jwCcx11NqhunSNBZD7-my_37q0PA |date=2008-09-09}} AFP 2008. Accessed 8 January 2014.</ref><ref>[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i9dz2ZxX6MRv5ZOKT4cx4-1O_qTQ afp.google.com "Zardari wins Pakistan presidential election: officials."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707123120/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i9dz2ZxX6MRv5ZOKT4cx4-1O_qTQ |date=2009-07-07}} AFP 2008. Dead URL 8 January 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/world/asia/07zardari.html?hp nytimes.com "Zardari is elected Pakistan's president."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722145323/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/world/asia/07zardari.html?hp |date=2016-07-22}} ''New York Times'' 7 September 2008.</ref> In 2010, the [[Parliament of Pakistan|Parliament]] unanimously and with a large majority, passed the [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|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== *[[Principal Secretary to the President of Pakistan]] * [[Air transports of heads of state and government#Pakistan|Air transports of heads of state and government]] * [[Official state car#Pakistan|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 Pakistan]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.president.gov.pk President of Pakistan: official website] {{Presidents of Pakistan}} {{Government of Pakistan}} {{Pakistan topics}} {{DEFAULTSORT:President Of Pakistan}} [[Category:Presidents of Pakistan| ]] [[Category:Parliament of Pakistan]] [[Category:Ceremonial heads of state|Pakistan]] [[Category:1956 establishments in Pakistan]]'