Type | Federal government |
---|---|
Formation | August 14, 1947 |
Formation document | Constitution of Pakistan |
Country | Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
Seat of government | Islamabad |
Working language | Urdu, English |
Website | pakistan |
Legislature | |
Legislature | Parliament |
Upper house | Senate |
Chairman of the Senate | Sadiq Sanjrani |
Lower house | National Assembly |
Speaker of the National Assembly | Raja Pervaiz Ashraf |
Meeting place | Parliament House |
Executive | |
Head of state | President (Arif Alvi) |
Head of government | Prime Minister (Shehbaz Sharif) |
Main organ | Cabinet |
Meeting place | Cabinet secretariat |
Ministries | 30 (25 Federal Ministers, 5 Ministers of state and 5 advisors) |
Responsible to | Parliament |
Judiciary | |
Court | Supreme Court of Pakistan |
Chief judge | Chief Justice (Umar Ata Bandial) |
The Government of Pakistan (Urdu: حکومتِ پاکستان, romanized: hakúmat-e pákistán; abbreviated as GoP) known as the Federal Government is the national government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a federal parliamentary democratic republic consisting of four provinces, two autonomous territories, and one federal territory. Under the Constitution, there are three primary branches of a government: the legislative, whose powers are vested in a bicameral Parliament; the executive, consisting of the President, aided by the Cabinet which is headed by the Prime Minister; and the judiciary, with the Supreme Court. [1]
Effecting the Westminster system for governing the state, the government is mainly composed of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, in which all powers are vested by the Constitution in the Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Supreme Court.[2] The powers and duties of these branches are further defined by acts and amendments of the Parliament, including the creation of executive institutions, departments and courts inferior to the Supreme Court.[2] By constitutional powers, the President promulgates ordinances and passes bills.
The President acts as the ceremonial figurehead while the people-elected Prime Minister acts as the Chief Executive (of the executive branch) and is responsible for running the federal government. There is a bicameral Parliament with the National Assembly as a Lower house and the Senate as an upper house. The most influential officials in the Government of Pakistan are considered to be the Federal Secretaries, who are the highest ranking bureaucrats in the country and run cabinet-level ministries and divisions. The judicial branch systematically contains an apex Supreme Court, Federal Shariat Court, High courts of five provinces, district, anti-terrorism, and the green courts; all inferior to the Supreme Court.[2]
The full name of the country is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. No other name appears in the Constitution, and this is the name that appears on money, in treaties, and in legal cases. The "Pakistan Government" or "Government of Pakistan" are often used in official documents representing the federal government collectively.[2] Also, the terms "Federal" and "National" in government institutions or program names generally indicate affiliation with the federal government. As the seat of government is in Islamabad, "Islamabad" is commonly used as a metonym for the federal government.[2][3][4] On 4 August 2020, the Government released a new political map[5][6] that maintained the Pakistani claims on Junagadh, Manavadar, and Sir Creek. The map also showed the Islands of Churna and Astola as part of Pakistan for the first time.[7][8][9]
The Constitution of Pakistan established and constituted the federal government of four provinces of federation of nation-state, known as State of Pakistan. The Constitution reads as:
The Federal Government is 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.
In the performance of his functions under the Constitution, the Prime Minister may act either directly or through the (Federal) Ministers.— Constitution of Pakistan: Part III: The Federation of Pakistan— Chapter 3: The Federal Government, Article 196–197, source[10]
The basic civil and criminal laws governing the citizens of Pakistan are set down in major parliamentary legislation (a term inherited from the United Kingdom), such as the Exit Control List, the Pakistan Penal Code, and the Frontier Crimes Regulations. By the Article 246th and Article 247th to the constitution, the Islamic Jirga (or Panchayat) system has become an institution for local governance.[11][12] The 1950s reforms in the government administration, the constitutional law and jurisprudence in Pakistan have been greatly influenced by the United States Of America ' legal system. Since the 1970s, the traditional jirga-based law has also been in place in a few areas, and has influenced the country's judicial development.[13][14]
Main article: Parliament of Pakistan |
The legislative branch has two houses, which combined are known as the Parliament of Pakistan
The Parliament enjoys parliamentary supremacy. All the Cabinet ministers as well as the Prime Minister must be members of Parliament (MPs), according to the constitution. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet Ministers are jointly accountable to the Parliament. If there is a policy failure or lapse on the part of the government, all the members of the cabinet are jointly responsible. If a vote of no confidence is passed against the government, then the government collapses and a new one must be formed.
By general definition, the executive branch of government is the one that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the republican idea of the separation of powers. The separation of powers system is designed to distribute authority away from the executive branch – an attempt to preserve individual liberty in response to tyrannical leadership throughout history.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: وزیراعظم; lit: 'Wazir-e- Azam), is the executive head of government of Pakistan, constitutionally designated as the Chief Executive (CE).[15] Popularly elected by direct elections in the parliament, the Prime minister is responsible for appointing a cabinet as well as running the government operations.[15]
The Prime Minister makes key appointments on various important positions, including;
The Cabinet can have a maximum of 11 percent (50 members including the Prime Minister) of the total strength of the Parliament.[16] Each Cabinet member must be a member of Parliament (MP).[17] The Cabinet Ministers chair the Cabinet and are further assisted by the Cabinet Secretary of Pakistan, whose appointment comes from the Civil Services of Pakistan. Other Ministers are Ministers of State, junior members who report directly to one of the Cabinet Ministers, often overseeing a specific aspect of government.[17]
Once appointed by the Prime Minister, all Cabinet Ministers are officially confirmed to their appointment offices by the President in a special oath of ceremony.[17][18]
Main article: Pakistani presidency |
The President of Pakistan (Urdu: صدر مملکت اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان) is a ceremonial figurehead, a ceremonial head of state representing the unity of the country.
Elected for a five-year term by an indirect election, the electoral college consisting of members of the Senate, National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies, the president is now not eligible for reelection (18th amendment).[17] However no individual may hold the office for more than two consecutive terms. The president may resign or be impeached and removed from office for incapacity or gross misconduct by a two-thirds vote of the members of the parliament.[17]
The President enjoys all constitutional powers and exercises them directly or through officers subordinate to him as per the aforesaid Article 41-Article 47.[19]
The President is responsible for making a wide variety of appointments.[19]
These include:
The President, as Head of State also receives the credentials of Ambassadors from other countries, whilst the Prime Minister, as Head of Government, receives credentials of High Commissioners from other members of the Commonwealth, in line with historical tradition.
The President is the civilian Commander in Chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces.[20]
The President of Pakistan can grant a pardon to or reduce the sentence, reprieve and respite, and remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority, particularly in cases involving a death sentence.[19] The decisions involving pardoning and other rights by the President are independent of the opinion of the Prime Minister or the Parliamentary majority. In most other cases, however, the President exercises his or her executive powers on the advice of the Prime Minister.[19]
Main article: Judiciary of Pakistan |
Pakistan's independent judicial system began under the British Raj, and its concepts and procedures resemble those of Anglo-Saxon countries. Institutional and judicial procedures were later changed, in 1950s, under the influence of American legal system to remove the fundamental rights problems.[11] The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Provincial High Courts, District Courts, Anti-terrorism courts, Sharia courts, and Environmental courts all over the country; Supreme Court being the superior court.[2] The Supreme Court of Pakistan consists of a Chief Justice, and Senior Justices appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The Constitution does not fix the number of justices of the Supreme Court, though it can be fixed by Parliament through an act signed by the President.[21]
The Constitution grants powers to the Supreme Court to make judicature transfers.[21] Although the proceedings in the Supreme Court arise out of the judgement or orders made by the subordinate courts, the Supreme Court reserves the right to transfer any case, appeal or proceedings pending before any High Court to any other High Court.[21]
Misconduct of judges is highly intolerable as is mentioned in the constitution. Under the mainframe of the Supreme Judicial Council Article 209 an inquiry into the capacity or conduct of a Judge, who is a member of the council, may be conducted.
Main articles: Central Superior Services of Pakistan and Pakistan Administrative Service |
The civil service of Pakistan is the permanent bureaucracy of the Government of Pakistan. The civil servants are the permanent officials of the government, occupying a respected image in the civil society. Civil servants come from different cadres (e.g. Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service of Pakistan etc.) after passing the CSS examinations. Not all the employees of the Government of Pakistan are civil servants; other employees of the Government of Pakistan come from the scientific institutions, state-owned corporations and commissioned military science circles.
In the parliamentary democracy, the ultimate responsibility for running the administration rests with the elected representatives of the people who are the ministers. These ministers are accountable to the legislatures which are also elected by the people on the basis of universal adult suffrage. The cabinet and its ministers are expected to lay down the policy guidelines, and the civil servants are responsible for implementing and enforcing it.
Main article: Federal Secretary |
The federal secretaries are the most senior, experienced, and capable officials in the country. Each ministry/division has its Secretary to oversee and enforce the public policy matters.
The secretaries, who are basic pay scale (BPS)-22 grade officers, are largely considered to be the most powerful officials in the country.[22][23] Due to the importance of their respective assignments, there are twelve specific federal secretaries which are considered to be the most vital in the Government of Pakistan. These include the Secretary Establishment (responsible for civil service matters), Secretary Commerce (responsible for trade), Secretary Cabinet (responsible for Cabinet Division), Secretary to the Prime Minister (responsible for Prime Minister's Office), Secretary Interior (responsible for law and order), Secretary Finance (responsible for the country's treasury), Secretary Foreign Affairs (responsible for foreign relations), Secretary Maritime Affairs (responsible for ports and shipping), Secretary Power (responsible for the electricity and power sector), Secretary Planning and Development (responsible for development projects), Secretary Petroleum (responsible for the petroleum sector) and Secretary Industries (responsible for industrial development).[24][25]
Management of major crisis situations in the country and coordination of activities of the various Ministries in such situations are the functions of the Cabinet Division. Appointment for the chairman of the FPSC, the prestigious body responsible for the recruitment of elite bureaucrats, is made by the President after consulting the Prime Minister, according to Article 242 of the Constitution.[26]
Main articles: Elections in Pakistan and Politics of Pakistan |
See also: Election Commission of Pakistan |
Since 1947, Pakistan has an asymmetric federal government, with elected officials at the national (federal), provincial, tribal, and local levels. Constitution has set the limit of government for five years, but if a Vote of no confidence movements takes place in the parliament (and prelude of movements are proved at the Judicial branch), the government falls and immediately replaced with caretaker government initiated by the president (consultation of Prime Minister also required to make such move), in regards to Article 58 of the constitution.[27]
There has been four times that the martial law has been in effect, and controversially approved by the supreme court.[17] Through a general election where the leader of the majority winning party is selected to be the Prime Minister.[17] All members of the federal legislature, the Parliament, are directly elected. Elections in Pakistan take place every five years by universal adult suffrage.[17]
Main articles: Provincial Governments of Pakistan, local government in Pakistan, and Administrative units of Pakistan |
There are four provincial governments that rule the four provinces of the state. The Chief Minister heads the provincial government. All provincial assemblies are unicameral, elected for five years.[28] The Governors appointed by President after consulting the Prime minister, act only as representatives of federal government in the province and do not have any part in running the government.
The provincial governments tend to have the greatest influence over most Pakistanis' daily lives. The tribal and Local government functions at the basic level.[29] It is the third level of government, consisting Jirga in rural tribal areas.[20]
Main articles: State Bank of Pakistan, National Bank of Pakistan, and Pakistan Remittance Initiative |
Main articles: Taxation in Pakistan, Federal budget of Pakistan, Tax on cash withdrawal, and Foreign trade of Pakistan |
Pakistan has a complex taxation system of more than 70 unique taxes administered by at least 37 tax collection institutions of the Government of Pakistan.[30] Taxation is a debated and controversial issue in public and political science circle of the country, and according to the International Development Committee, Pakistan had a lower-than-average tax take.[31] Only 0.57% of Pakistanis, or 768,000 people out of a population of 190 million pay income tax.[31]
The Finance Minister of Pakistan presents the annual federal budget in the Parliament in the midst of the year, and it has to be passed by both houses of the Parliament.[32] The budget is preceded by an economic survey which outlines the broad direction of the budget and the economic performance of the country for the outgoing financial fiscal year.[33]
Main article: NFC award |
Constituted under the Article 160 of the Constitution of Pakistan by the Constitution, the National Finance Commission Award (NFC) program is a series of planned economic programs to take control of financial imbalances and equally manage the financial resources for the four provinces to meet their expenditure liabilities while alleviating the horizontal fiscal imbalances.[34]
According to stipulations and directions of the Constitution, the provisional governments and Federal government compete to get higher share of the program's revenues in order to stabilize their own financial status.[35]
Main articles: Federal Ministries of Pakistan and Cabinet of Pakistan |
Federal Ministerial Departments | Ministerial Divisions | Creation |
---|---|---|
Cabinet Secretariat | Cabinet Division Establishment Division Capital Administration and Development Division Aviation Division |
1947 |
Climate Change | Climate Change Division | |
Commerce and Textile Industry | Commerce Division Textile Industry Division |
|
Communications | Communications Division | 1947 |
Defence | Defence Division | 1947 |
Defence Production | Defence Production Division | 1972 |
Energy | Petroleum Division Power Division |
|
Federal Education and Professional Training | Federal Education and Professional Training Division | |
Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs | Finance Division Revenue Division Economic Affairs Division |
|
Foreign Affairs | Foreign Affairs Division |
1947 |
Housing and Works | Housing and Works Division | |
Human Rights | Human Rights Division | |
Interior | Interior Division | |
Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage | Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Division | |
Industries and Production | Industries and Production Division | |
Information Technology and Telecommunication | Information Technology and Telecommunication Division | |
Inter-Provincial Coordination | Inter Provincial Coordination Division | |
Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan | Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Division | |
Labour | Labour Division | |
Law and Justice | Law and Justice Division | |
Maritime Affairs | Maritime Affairs Division | |
Narcotics Control | Narcotics Control Division | |
Parliamentary Affairs | Parliamentary Affairs Division | |
Planning and Development | Planning and Development Division | |
National Food Security and Research | National Food Security and Research Division | |
National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination | National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division | |
Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony | Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Division | |
States and Frontier Regions | States and Frontier Regions Division | |
Statistics | Statistics Division | |
Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development | Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Division | |
Postal Services | Postal Services Division | |
Privatisation | Privatisation Division | |
Science and Technology | Science and Technology Division | |
Water Resources | Water Resources Division | |
Railways | Railways Division |
Main article: List of federal agencies of Pakistan |