Prime Minister of Pakistan
The prime minister of Pakistan (Urdu: وزِیرِ اعظم پاکستان , romanized: Wazīr ē Aʿẓam lit. 'Grand Vizier', Urdu pronunciation: [ʋəˈziːr-ˌeː ˈɑː.zəm]) is the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Executive authority is vested in the prime minister and his chosen cabinet, despite the president of Pakistan serving as the nominal head of executive. The prime minister is often the leader of the party or the coalition with a majority in the lower house of the Parliament of Pakistan, the National Assembly where he serves as Leader of the House. Prime minister holds office by virtue of their ability to command the confidence of the National Assembly. The prime minister is designated as the "chief executive of the Islamic Republic".
For a list of all office-holders, see List of prime ministers of Pakistan.Prime Minister of Pakistan
- The Honourable
- Mr. Prime Minister (informal)
- His Excellency (diplomatic)[1]
Leader of the House
PM
National Assembly of Pakistan
through a vote held either after a General Election or when a vacancy arises where the candidate receives either votes of an absolute majority of votes from total members in the first ballot or a majority of votes from members present and voting in the subsequent run-off ballot[2]
Until the dissolution of the National Assembly or until the Assembly expresses no-confidence
Liaquat Ali Khan
(1947–1951)
14 August 1947
Pakistan's prime minister leads the executive branch of the federal government, oversees the state economy, leads the National Assembly, heads the Council of Common Interests as well as the Cabinet, and is charged with leading the National Command Authority over Pakistan's nuclear weapons arsenal.[6][7][8] This position places its holder in leadership of the nation and in control over all matters, both internal affairs and foreign policy.[9] The prime minister is elected by the members of the National Assembly and is therefore usually the leader of the majority party in the parliament. The Constitution of Pakistan vests executive powers in the prime minister, who is responsible for appointing the Cabinet as well as running the executive branch, taking and authorizing executive decisions, appointments, and recommendations that require prime ministerial confirmation.[10]
Constitutionally, the prime minister serves as the chief adviser to the president of Pakistan on critical matters; and plays an influential role in appointment in each branch of the military leadership as well as ensuring civilian control of the military through chairman joint chiefs, although this does not necessarily happen in tandem.[11][12] Prime ministerial powers have significantly grown with a delicate system of check and balance by each branch.[13] The position was absent during the years of 1958–1973, 1977–1985, and 1999–2002 due to imposed martial law. In each of these periods, the military junta led by the president had the powers of the prime minister.[14]