Government of Pakistan

Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan (abbreviated as GoP), constitutionally known as the Federal Government, commonly known as the Centre, is the national authority of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a federal parliamentary 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.
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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
Federal law and Constitution
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 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. 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.
Branches of government
Legislative branch
The legislative branch has two houses, which combined are known as the Parliament of Pakistan
The National Assembly is the lower house and has 342 members. 272 are elected directly by the people, while 60 seats are reserved for women and 10 seats for religious minorities.
The Senate is the upper house and has 104 senators elected indirectly by members of provincial assemblies for six-year terms.
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.
Executive branch
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.
Prime Minister and Cabinet
The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: ; lit: 'Wazir-e- Azam), is the executive head of government of Pakistan, constitutionally designated as the Chief Executive (CE). Popularly elected by direct elections in the parliament, the Prime minister is responsible for appointing a cabinet as well as running the government operations.
The Prime Minister makes key appointments on various important positions, including;
The federal secretaries as head of cabinet- level ministries
The chief secretaries of the provinces
Key administrative and military personnel in the Pakistan Armed Forces
The chairmen of large public sector organisations and corporations such as NHA, TCP, PIA, PNSC etc.
The chairmen and other members of the federal commissions and public institutions
Ambassadors and High Commissioners to other countries
The Cabinet can have a maximum of 11 percent (50 members including the Prime Minister) of the total strength of the Parliament.
Each Cabinet member must be a member of Parliament (MP). 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.
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.
The President of Pakistan, officially the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is the ceremonial head of state of Pakistan and the commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces.Article 41(1) in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan.
The office of president was created upon the proclamation of Islamic Republic on 23 March 1956. The then serving governor-general, Major-General Iskander Mirza, assumed office as the first president. Following the 1958 coup d'etat, the office of prime minister was abolished, leaving the Presidency as the most powerful office in the country. This position was further strengthened when the 1962 Constitution was adopted. It turned Pakistan into a Presidential Republic, giving all executive powers to the president. In 1973, the new Constitution established Parliamentary democracy and reduced president's role to a ceremonial one. Nevertheless, the military takeover in 1977 reversed the changes. The 8th Amendment turned Pakistan into a semi-presidential republic and in the period between 1985 and 2010, the executive power was shared by president and prime minister. The 18th Amendment in 2010 restored Parliamentary Democracy in the country, and reduced presidency to a ceremonial position.
The constitution prohibits the president from directly running the government. Instead, the executive power is exercised on his behalf by the prime minister who keeps him informed on all matters of internal and foreign policy, as well as all legislative proposals. The Constitution however, vests the president with the powers of granting pardons, reprieves, and the control over the military; however, all appointments at higher commands of the military must be made by the President on a "required and necessary" basis, upon consultation and approval from the prime minister.
The president is indirectly elected by the 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 Senate exercises the responsibilities of the post, until the actual president resumes office, or the next office holder is elected.
There have been a total of 13 presidents. The first president was Iskander Ali Mirza who entered office on 23 March 1956. The current office holder is Sadiq Sanjrani, who took charge on 9 September 2023, following his victory in the 2023 elections.
Judicial branch
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. 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. 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.
Judicature transfer
The Constitution grants powers to the Supreme Court to make judicature transfers. 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.
Supreme Judicial Council
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.
Civil 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.
Federal secretaries
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. 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).
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.
Elections and voting system
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.
There has been four times that the martial law has been in effect, and controversially approved by the supreme court. Through a general election where the leader of the majority winning party is selected to be the Prime Minister. All members of the federal legislature, the Parliament, are directly elected. Elections in Pakistan take place every five years by universal adult suffrage.
Administration and governments
Provincial and Local governments
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. 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 Local government functions at the basic level. It is the third level of government, consisting Jirga'' in rural tribal areas.
Finances
Taxation and budget
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. 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. Only 0.57% of Pakistanis, or 768,000 people out of a population of 190 million pay income tax.
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. 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.
National Finance Commission program overview
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.
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.
Ministries and divisions
Departments
Abdus Salam Centre for Physics
Centre for Earthquake Studies
Academy of Educational Planning and Management
Pakistan Electric Power Company
Accountant General Pakistan Revenues
Airports Security Force
Aiwan-e-Iqbal
Alternative Energy Development Board
Akthar Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development
Animal Quarantine Department
Anti-Narcotics Force
Armament Research and Development Establishment
Associated Press of Pakistan
Attorney-General for Pakistan
Auditor General of Pakistan
Board of Investment
Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment
Cabinet Committee on National Security
Capital Development Authority
Central Board of Film Censors
Central Power Purchasing Agency
Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees
Civil Aviation Authority
College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan
Controller General of Accounts
Competition Commission of Pakistan
Construction Technology Training Institute
Council for Work and Housing Research
Council of Common Interests
Council of Islamic Ideology
Defence Export Promotion Organization
Defence Science and Technology Organisation
Department of Archeology and Museums
Department of Communications Security
Department of Plant Protection
Department of Stationery and Forms
Directorate General of Civil Defence
Civil Defence Academy
National Institute of Fire Technology
Directorate General of Defence Purchase
Directorate General of Immigration and Passports
Directorate General of Munitions Production
Directorate General of Special Education and Social Welfare
Directorate General of Trade Organisations
Directorate of Electronic Media and Publication
Directorate of Workers Education
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan
Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority
Economic Coordination Committee
Election Commission of Pakistan
Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution
ENAR Petrotech Services
Engineering Development Board
Estate Office
Export Development Fund
Export–Import Bank of Pakistan
Export Processing Zone Authority
Evacuee Trust Property Board
Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee
Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education
Federal Board of Revenue
Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation
Federal Directorate of Education
Federal Employees Benevolent and Group Insurance Fund
Federal Flood Commission
Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation
Federal Investigation Agency
National Response Centre for Cyber Crime
Federal Land Commission
Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan
Federal Public Service Commission
Civil Services Academy
Federal Judicial Academy
Financial Monitoring Unit
Fisheries Development Board
Foreign Service of Pakistan
Foreign Service Academy
Civil Armed Forces
Frontier Constabulary
Frontier Corps
Frontier Corps
Frontier Corps
Frontier Corps
Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts
Pakistan Coast Guards
Punjab Rangers
Sindh Rangers
Gazette of Pakistan
Geological Survey of Pakistan
Global Change Impact Studies Centre
Government Holdings Private Limited
Government Shipping Office
Gwadar Port Authority
Heavy Electrical Complex
Heavy Industries Taxila
Higher Education Commission of Pakistan
Human Organ Transplant Authority
Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan
Ignite National Technology Fund
Institute of Bankers Pakistan
Indus River System Authority
Institute of Regional Studies
Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan
Institute of Optronics
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad
Intelligence Bureau
Inter-Services Intelligence
Inter-State Gas Systems Limited
Iqbal Academy
Islamabad Capital Territory Administration
Islamabad Police
Islamabad Traffic Police
Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works
Karachi Port Trust
Khan Research Laboratories
Lakhara Coal Development Company
Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan
Livestock and Dairy Development Board
Management Services Wing
Marine Fisheries Department
Pakistan Maritime Security Agency
Mercantile Marine Department
Military Lands and Cantonments Department
Military Vehicles Research and Development Establishment
National Academy for Prisons Administration
National Academy of Performing Arts
National Accountability Bureau
National Archives of Pakistan
National Bioethics Committee
National Book Foundation
National Command Authority (Pakistan)
Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security
Strategic Plans Division Force
National Commission for Child Welfare and Development
National Commission for Government Reforms
National Commission for Human Development
Pakistan Human Development Fund
National Commission for Human Rights
National Commission on the Status of Women
National Counter Terrorism Authority
National Crises Management Cell
National Database and Registration Authority
National Disaster Management Authority
National Institute of Disaster Management
National Education Assessment System
National Education Foundation
National Electric Power Regulatory Authority
National Energy Conservation Centre
National Engineering and Scientific Commission
Air Weapons Complex
National Development Complex
National Engineering Services Pakistan
National Fertilizer Corporation
National Fertilizer Marketing Limited
National Forensic Science Agency
National Highway Authority
National Highways and Motorway Police
National Industrial Parks Development and Management Company
National Industrial Relations Commission
National Information Technology Board
National Institute of Electronics
National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage
National Institute of Health
National Institute of Oceanography
Pakistan Antarctic Programme
National Institute of Population Studies
National Institute of Science and Technical Education
National Insurance Company
National Intelligence Directorate
National Language Promotion Department
National Library of Pakistan
National Logistics Cell
National Museum of Pakistan
National Police Academy
National Police Bureau
National Productivity Organization
National Radio & Telecommunications Corporation
National School of Public Policy
National Security Council
National Telecommunication Corporation
National Textile University
National Tariff Commission
National Training Bureau
National Transmission and Despatch Company
National Transport Research Centre
National University of Sciences and Technology
National Veterinary Lab
National Vocational and Technical Training Commission
Oil and Gas Development Company
Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority
Overseas Employment Corporation
Overseas Pakistanis Foundation
Pakistan Academy for Rural Development
Pakistan Academy of Letters
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council
National Agricultural Research Centre
Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation
Pak-Arab Refinery Company
Pakistan Armed Forces
Inter-Services Public Relations
Inter Services Selection Board
National Defence University
Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis
Pakistan Air Force
Air Intelligence
Pakistan Air Force Academy
Pakistan Army
National Guard
Janbaz Force
Mujahid Force
Defence Housing Authority
Frontier Works Organisation
Military Intelligence
Pakistan Military Academy
Pakistan Navy
Naval Intelligence
Pakistan Marines
Pakistan Naval Academy
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
CHASNUPP Centre for Nuclear Training
KANUPP Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering
National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology
Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture
Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal
Pakistan Bar Council
Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
Pakistan Coast Guards
Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters
Pakistan Cotton Standards Institute
Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners
Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies
Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources
Pakistan Council for Science and Technology
National Commission for Science and Technology
Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
Pakistan Cricket Board
Pakistan Customs
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority
Pakistan Engineering Company
Pakistan Engineering Council
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency
Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company
Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company
Pakistan Hunting and Sporting Arms Development Company
Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation
Pakistan Industrial Technical Assistance Centre
Pakistan Infrastructure Bank
Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services
Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design
Pakistan Institute of Management
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
Pakistan Institute of Public Finance Accountants
Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation
Pakistan LNG Limited
Pakistan LNG Terminals Limited
Pakistan Machine Tool Factory
Pakistan Manpower Institute
Pakistan Marine Academy
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council
Pakistan Health Research Council
Pakistan Meteorological Department
National Agromet Centre
Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation
Pakistan National Accreditation Council
Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO
Pakistan National Council of the Arts
Pakistan National Shipping Corporation
Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority
Pakistan Nursing Council
Pakistan Oilseed Development Board
Pakistan Ordnance Factories
Pakistan Petroleum
Pakistan Post
Pakistan Public Works Department
Pakistan Railways
Pakistan Railways Academy
Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited
Pakistan Science Foundation
Pakistan Museum of Natural History
Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre
Pakistan Software Export Board
Pakistan Sports Board
Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority
Pakistan State Oil
Pakistan Steel Mills
Pakistan Stone Development Company
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited
Pakistan Television Corporation
PTV Academy
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation
Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council
PHA Foundation
Pharmacy Council of Pakistan
Planning Commission of Pakistan
National Fertilizer Development Centre
Pakistan Institute of Development Economics
Pakistan Planning and Management Institute
Port Qasim Authority
Power Information Technology Company
Press Council of Pakistan
Printing Corporation of Pakistan
Private Educational Institution Regulatory Authority
Private Power and Infrastructure Board
Public Private Partnership Authority
Public Procurement Regulatory Authority
Quaid-e-Azam Academy
Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board
Ruet-e-Hilal Committee
Saindak Metals Limited
Secretariat Training Institute
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority
Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission of Pakistan
Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics
KU Observatory
Institute of Space Technology
Pakistan Mission Control Centre
Satellite Ground Station
Sonmiani Spaceport
Tilla Satellite Launch Centre
Special Communications Organization
Staff Welfare Organization
State Bank of Pakistan
National Institute of Banking and Finance
Pakistan Mint
State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan
Strategic Export Control Division
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited
Sui Southern Gas Company
Survey of Pakistan
Technology Upgradation and Skill Development Company
Textile Commissioner's Organization
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan
Trade Dispute Resolution Organization
Trading Corporation of Pakistan
Utility Stores Corporation
Virtual University of Pakistan
Wah Metallurgical Laboratory
Water and Power Development Authority
Workers Welfare Fund
Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited
Zoological Survey Department
See also
Corruption in Pakistan
Economic Coordination Committee
Federal Bureau of Statistics of the Government of Pakistan
Gazette of Pakistan
Grade 22
List of provincial governments of Pakistan
Ministry of Finance of the Government of Pakistan
Pakistan Institute of International Affairs
Statistics Division (Pakistan)
Types of Government Servants in Pakistan
References
External links
YouTube channel
The President of Pakistan
Senate of Pakistan
National Assembly of Pakistan
Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan
Supreme Court of Pakistan (archived 14 August 2013)
List of E-Services provided by Government of Pakistan (archived 18 November 2012)
Asian governments