President of Pakistan

The President of Pakistan () serves as the head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. While the president is the nominal head of the executive and the supreme commander of the Pakistan Armed Forces, this role is largely ceremonial. The president is required to act on the advice of the Prime Minister and the cabinet. Asif Ali Zardari has been the current president since 10 March 2024.

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 the 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 the president and prime minister. The 18th Amendment in 2010 restored Parliamentary Democracy in the country, and reduced the presidency to a ceremonial position.

The constitution states that the president cannot directly manage the government. Instead, the prime minister carries out executive functions on the president's behalf and keeps him updated on domestic and foreign policies, as well as legislative matters. Although the president has the authority to grant pardons and oversee the military, any high-level military appointments must be made by the president only after consulting with and getting approval from the prime minister when necessary. The president is elected indirectly through the Electoral College for a term of five years. According to the constitution, the president must be a Muslim aged at least 45 years. The president lives in Aiwan-e-Sadar, the official residence located in Islamabad. If the president is absent, the chairman of the Senate takes over the responsibilities until the president returns or a new president is elected. To date, there have been 14 presidents. The first was Iskander Ali Mirza, who took office on March 23, 1956. The current president is Asif Ali Zardari, who assumed the role on March 9, 2024, after a contentious win in the 2024 elections.

Powers and Authority

Role of the President

The president's main workplace and official residence is Aiwan-e-Sadr, the presidential palace situated in northeastern Islamabad. The presidency is an essential part of the state’s institutional framework and is included in the bicameral Parliament. The president’s powers are largely limited to a ceremonial role, requiring him to address Parliament to guide national policies before being briefed on major decisions. Moreover, the president serves as the civil commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces, with the chairman of the joint chiefs acting as the chief military advisor to ensure civilian oversight of the military. Once the prime minister provides confirmation, the president also approves judicial appointments within the national court system. Additionally, the Constitution empowers the president to grant pardons, reprieves, and clemency based on recommendations from the executive and judiciary. Importantly, the president enjoys complete constitutional immunity from both criminal and civil lawsuits, meaning no legal actions can be initiated or pursued against him during his time in office.