President of Pakistan

For a comprehensive list, see List of heads of state 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.

President of Pakistan
صدرِ پاکستان
State emblem of Pakistan
Presidential Standard of Pakistan
Incumbent Asif Ali Zardari since 10 March 2024
Head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Executive branch of the Government of Pakistan
Style	Honourable President (formal) His Excellency (diplomatic) Mr President (informal)
Type	Head of state Commander-in-chief
Residence	Aiwan-e-Sadr, Red Zone, Islamabad-44040
Seat	Aiwan-e-Sadr, Red Zone, Islamabad-44040
Appointer	Electoral College
Term length	Five years renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Pakistan (1973)
Precursor	Monarch of Pakistan
Inaugural holder	Iskander Mirza
Formation	23 March 1956 (1956-03-23)
Succession	Line of succession
Deputy	Chairman of the Senate
Salary	₨8.47 lakh ( ₹260,000) per month
Website	President 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 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.

There shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of State and shall represent the "unity of the Republic."

— Article 41 in Chapter 1: The President of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the Constitution of Pakistan, source

Legislative powers

• As stated in Article 50 of the Constitution, the Parliament of Pakistan is made up of the president and two chambers: the National Assembly and the Senate.

• The president must approve a bill within ten days of receiving it. If he does not respond within that time, he is considered to have approved the bill automatically. Once the president gives his approval or is deemed to have done so, the bill becomes law and is referred to as an Act of Parliament.

• The president has the authority to call sessions of both the National Assembly and the Senate, as well as to end those sessions.

• He can address either one or both Houses of Parliament and can require members to be present for this purpose.

• If a law or any part of it needs changes after being approved by Parliament, the president can send it back for revision before signing it.

• The president also has the right to speak during parliamentary sessions.

• The president can send messages regarding pending bills in Parliament. The House that receives the message is expected to consider it promptly.

• The president can dissolve the National Assembly based on the prime minister's advice. Additionally, he can do this at his discretion if a vote of no confidence has been passed against the prime minister and no other member has majority support, as determined in a specially convened session of the National Assembly.

• In cases where Parliament is not in session, the president can issue ordinances if advised by the Cabinet or the prime minister.

• He can also call for a joint session of both the National Assembly and the Senate.

• The president must approve the Federal Finance Bill and any constitutional amendment bills that are passed by Parliament.

Eligibility and selection process

The Constitution of Pakistan outlines the essential qualifications a candidate must fulfill to be eligible for the presidency. To be considered for the position, a president must:

• Be a citizen of Pakistan
• Be a Muslim
• Be at least 45 years old

Meet the qualifications required to be elected as a member of the National Assembly

When the office of the president (Aiwan-e-Sadr) becomes vacant, the president is chosen by an electoral college that includes both houses of Parliament (the Senate and the National Assembly) as well as the four provincial assemblies. The chief election commissioner is responsible for organising the presidential elections during a special session, and the voting process is conducted in secret.

Electors cast a varying number of votes, with the general rule being that the total votes from the members of Parliament should equal the total votes from the provincial legislators. Each provincial assembly has an equal number of votes, determined by the size of the smallest assembly, which is the Balochistan Assembly with 65 seats.

Additionally, the Constitution specifies that presidential elections cannot take place more than sixty days before or less than thirty days before the current president's term ends.

Election and Oath

The president is elected indirectly for a term of five years. The current president can be re-elected but cannot serve more than two consecutive terms in office. Upon taking office, the president must take an oath or affirmation in front of the chief justice, committing to protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution as specified:

I, (The name of the President-elect), do solemnly swear that I am a Muslim and believe in the Unity, and Oneness of Almighty Allah, the Books of Allah, the Holy Qur'an being the last of them, the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) 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).