View source for Prime Minister of Pakistan

{{Short description|Head of government of Pakistan}}
{{For|a list of all office-holders|List of prime ministers of Pakistan}}
{{pp-protected|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}{{Infobox official post
| body = Pakistan
| department = [[Politics_of_Pakistan#Executive_branch|Executive branch of the<br>Government of Pakistan]]
| native_name = {{Nastaliq|وزِیرِ اعظم پاکستان}}
| constituting_instrument = [[Constitution of Pakistan]]
| flag = Flag_of_the_Prime_Minister_of_Pakistan.svg
| flagsize = 150px
| flagcaption = {{nowrap|[[Flags of Pakistan|Prime Ministerial Standard]]}}
| insignia = State emblem of Pakistan.svg
| insigniasize = 100px
| insigniacaption = [[State Emblem of Pakistan]]
| incumbent = [[Shehbaz Sharif]]
| incumbentsince = 4 March 2024
| style = {{plainlist|
* [[The Honourable]]
* [[Prime Minister|Mr. Prime Minister]] (informal)
* [[Excellency|His Excellency]] (diplomatic)<ref>{{cite web|title=Heads of State, Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs|website=UN|publisher=United Nations Foreign and Protocol Service|url= https://www.un.int/protocol/sites/www.un.int/files/Protocol%20and%20Liaison%20Service/hspmfm.pdf}}</ref>}}
| deputy = [[Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan]]
| status = Leader of the House
| abbreviation = PM
| member_of = {{hlist |[[Cabinet of Pakistan|Cabinet]]<br />
[[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]]<br />[[Council of Common Interests|Common Interests Council]]}}
| reports_to = * [[President of Pakistan]]
* [[Parliament of Pakistan]]
| residence = [[Prime Minister of Pakistan House|Prime Minister House]]
| seat = [[Prime Minister's Office (Pakistan)|Prime Minister's Office]], [[Islamabad Capital Territory]]-44010
| nominator = [[National Assembly of Pakistan]]
| appointer = [[President of Pakistan]]
| termlength = Until the dissolution of the National Assembly or until the Assembly expresses no-confidence
| salary = <!--Only approx figure is mentioned-->{{PKRConvert|24.12|l}}, annual{{refn|name=PMSalary|group=n|The salary of Prime Minister of Pakistan is 2 Lakhs 1 thousand per month (9,50,574/month equivalent US$1,323) inclusive of all allowances and exclusive of the taxes, He is not receiving any payment from government. The salaries of federal ministers, state ministers, senators, high court judges, and president is more than the prime minister of Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1531579|title=No pay raise for Imran, says PM office|date= 31 January 2020|work=Dawn|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/406099-Prime-Minister/'s-monthly-income-less-than-parliamentarians,-ministers-an|title=Prime Minister's monthly income less than parliamentarians, ministers and judges – Pakistan |work=Dunya News|date=17 September 2018|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1356720|title=The salary that we are not paying the PM|date=10 September 2017|work=Dawn News|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref>}}
| formation = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|mf=no|1947|08|14}}
| inaugural = [[Liaquat Ali Khan]]<br />(1947–1951)
| website = {{url|pmo.gov.pk}}
| post = Prime Minister
| image = Shehbaz Sharif (34929982354).jpg
| type = [[Head of government]]
}}

The '''prime minister of Pakistan''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|وزِیرِ اعظم پاکستان }}}}, [[Roman Urdu|romanized]]: Wazīr ē Aʿẓam {{Literal translation|[[Grand vizier|Grand Vizier]]}}, {{IPA-ur|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 of Pakistan|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 of Pakistan|National Assembly]] where he serves as '' Leader of the House''. Prime minister holds office by virtue of their ability to [[Motion of no-confidence|command the confidence]] of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]]. The prime minister is designated as the "chief executive of the Islamic Republic".

Pakistan's prime minister leads the [[Executive (government)|executive branch]] of the [[Government of Pakistan|federal government]], oversees the [[Economy of Pakistan|state economy]], leads the [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]], heads the [[Council of Common Interests]] as well as the [[Cabinet of Pakistan|Cabinet]], and is charged with leading the [[National Command Authority (Pakistan)|National Command Authority]] over [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction|Pakistan's nuclear weapons arsenal]].<ref>Article 91(1) in Chapter 3: The Federal Government, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref><ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part5.ch3.html Article 153(2a)-153(2c)] in Chapter 3: Special Provisions, Part V: Relations between Federation and Provinces in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref><ref name="National Assembly press">{{cite news|last1=Govt. of Pakistan|title=The National Command Authority Act, 2010|url=http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1300934560_193.pdf|access-date=6 May 2015|agency=National Assembly press|publisher=National Assembly press|date=3 March 2010|location=Islamabad}}</ref> This position places its holder in leadership of the nation and in control over all matters, both [[Politics of Pakistan|internal affairs]] and [[Foreign relations of Pakistan|foreign policy]].<ref name="Intl Business Pubns USA">{{cite book |title=Pakistan Country Study Guide Strategic Information and Developments |date=2012|publisher=Intl Business Pubns USA|isbn=978-1438775258}}</ref> 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 of Pakistan|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.<ref name="BBC_PM_role">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/82559.stm | title=Prime minister | date=16 October 2008 | work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref>

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 [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|military leadership]] as well as ensuring [[Civilian control of the military|civilian control]] of the military through [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|chairman joint chiefs]], although this [[Military coups in Pakistan|does not necessarily happen in tandem]].<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Article 243(2))] in Chapter 2: The Armed Forces. Part XII: Miscellaneous in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref><ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch1.html Article 46] in Chapter 1: The President, Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> Prime ministerial powers have [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|significantly grown]] with a delicate system of [[checks and balances|check and balance]] by each branch.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21022855| title= Pakistan Supreme Court orders arrest of PM Raja Pervez Ashraf | publisher=[[BBC]] | date=15 January 2013}}</ref> 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 [[Pakistan Army|military junta]] led by the president had the powers of the prime minister.<ref name="Frankfort, IL">{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=R.S.N.|title=The military factor in Pakistan|date=2008|publisher=Frankfort, IL|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-0981537894}}</ref>

==History==
{{Further|List of prime ministers of Pakistan}}[[Image:Liaquat Ali Khan 1945.jpg|thumb|[[Liaquat Ali Khan]], served as the first prime minister of Pakistan after independence (1947–1951).]]

The office of the prime minister was created on immediate effect after the [[Partition of India|partition]] and the [[Independence of Pakistan|establishment]] of Pakistan in 1947; the prime minister existed alongside the [[Governor-General of Pakistan|governor-general]] who was the representative of the [[British monarchy]]. The [[List of Prime Ministers of Pakistan|first]] prime minister, [[Liaquat Ali Khan]], exercised central executive powers until his [[Assassination of liaqat ali khan|assassination]] in 1951.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jang.com.pk/thenews/spedition/liaqat_ali_khan/page4.htm.html |title=Special Edition (Liaqat Ali Khan) |work=[[The News International]] |first=M Yakub |last=Mughal |access-date=8 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121225534/http://jang.com.pk/thenews/spedition/liaqat_ali_khan/page4.htm.html |archive-date=21 January 2012 }}</ref> The [[Political power|powers]] slowly began to be reduced as a result of constant intervention by the governor-general. Despite the [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1956|first set]] of the Constitution giving central power in 1956, the [[List of Prime Ministers of Pakistan|next six prime ministers]] were dismissed by the governor-general from 1951 till 1957. The first set of the Constitution had evolved the governor-general into the [[president of Pakistan]] whilst declaring the country an "[[Islamic republic]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://storyofpakistan.com/the-constitution-of-1956/ |title=The Constitution of 1956 | publisher=Story of Pakistan | date=1 June 2003 | access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="Nagendra">{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia of Bangladesh|author=Nagendra Kr. Singh|publisher=Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd.|pages=9–10|year=2003|isbn=978-81-261-1390-3}}</ref> In 1958, [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Iskandar Mirza]] dismissed the [[Feroz Khan Noon|seventh prime minister]] to [[1958 Pakistani coup d'état|impose martial law]] in a mere two weeks, President Mirza was ousted by [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|army chief]] General [[Field Marshal Ayub Khan|Ayub Khan]] who had for a brief period held the post of prime minister.

In 1962, the [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1962|second set]] of the Constitution completely dissolved the office of prime minister as all powers were transferred to the president of Pakistan.<ref name="Nagendra"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://storyofpakistan.com/the-constitution-of-1962/ |title=The Constitution of 1962 | publisher=Story of Pakistan | date=1 June 2003 | access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref> Criticism over the [[President of Pakistan|presidency]] after the [[1965 Pakistani presidential election|presidential election]] held in 1965 over the centralizing of powers. After the [[1970 Pakistani general elections|general elections]] held in 1970, the office was established with [[Nurul Amin]] becoming the prime minister who was also the [[Vice President of Pakistan|vice-president]]. Negotiations that fall apart between [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]], [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|Mujibur Rehman]], and [[Yahya Khan]] that prompted to [[Bangladesh Liberation War|liberation movement]] in the [[East Pakistan]]. With [[India]] intervening in East Pakistan and Pakistan conceding [[Instrument of Surrender (1971)|defeat]] to end the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|war]] led to the collapse of the [[presidential system]] in 1971.

As the comprehensive [[Constitution of pakistan|Constitution]] reinstated in 1973, the post was reestablished with more central powers as the constitution provided a [[parliamentary system]] with President of Pakistan as [[figurehead]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infopak.gov.pk/constitution_pakistan.aspx |title=The Constitution of Pakistan |publisher=infopak.gov.pk |access-date=8 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109103454/http://www.infopak.gov.pk/constitution_pakistan.aspx |archive-date=9 November 2007 }}</ref> Amid agitation instigated by the [[Pakistan National Alliance|right-wing alliance]] invited the [[Operation Fair Play|military intervention]] in 1977 which suspended the post.

The [[1985 Pakistani general election|general elections]] held in 1985 restored the post, with [[Muhammad Khan Junejo|Muhammad Junejo]] becoming the prime minister. Later that year, the National Assembly passed the controversial [[Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|eighth amendment]] to the Constitution, giving the president the power to dismiss the prime minister and the National Assembly without prior consultation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dossani |first1=Rafiq |last2=Rowen |first2=Henry S. |date=2005 |title=Prospects for Peace in South Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TwO9zmj6aQ0C&pg=PA42 |publisher=Stanford University Press |pages=42–43 |isbn=978-0-8047-5085-1}}</ref> The [[1988 Pakistani general elections|general elections]] in 1988 resulted in the [[Pakistan Peoples Party]]'s [[Benazir Bhutto]] becoming the [[Women in Muslim societies|first woman]] prime minister elected in a Muslim country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://storyofpakistan.com/benazir-bhutto-becomes-prime-minister/ | title=Benazir Bhutto Becomes Prime Minister | publisher=Story of Pakistan | date=1 June 2003 | access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref>

From 1988 to 1993, the power struggle between the prime minister and presidency continued with the president dismissing the [[National Assembly (Pakistan)|National Assembly]] on three different occasions. At the [[1997 Pakistani general elections|1997 elections]], the [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]] secured a [[two-thirds majority]] in the Parliament and drafted the [[Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|XIII]] and [[Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|XIV Amendments]] to reverse the eighth amendment to the Constitution; this allowed [[Nawaz Sharif]] to centralize more executive powers.<ref name=Mittal>{{Cite book | last =Akbar | first =M.K  | title =Pakistan Today | place =New Delhi, India | publisher =Mittal Publications | chapter =Pakistan Under Navaz Sharif | page =230 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g6D8xkFgTwEC&pg=PA1 | isbn =978-81-7099-700-9 | access-date=8 September 2012| date =1 January 1998  }}</ref> After the draw down of [[Civil-Military Relations|civil-military relations]] in 1999, [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman joint chiefs]] General [[Pervez Musharraf]] staged [[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|a coup d'état]] against the PML(N)'s government and held nationwide elections in [[2002 Pakistani general elections|2002]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/472968.stm | title=Pakistan after the coup: Special report |work=BBC News| date=12 October 2000 | access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref>

With no party gaining a majority, a [[Coalition government|coalition]] was formed with the [[Pakistan Muslim League (Q)|PML(Q)]]&nbsp;– a breakaway of the PML(N) and a pro-Musharraf party&nbsp;– leading with [[Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan|MQM]]. After some political wrangling, [[Zafarullah Khan Jamali|Zafarullah Jamali]] became the prime minister, and passed the [[Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|XVII amendment]] which partially restored the power of the president to dissolve the National Assembly, but made the dissolution subject to the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]]'s approval.<ref name="17thA">{{cite web |url=http://storyofpakistan.com/seventeenth-amendment-2003/ |title=Seventeenth Amendment 2003 | publisher=Story of Pakistan | date=1 June 2004 | access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref>

Over the authority issues,{{clarify|date=July 2017}} Prime Minister [[Zafarullah Khan Jamali|Jamali]] resigned in 2004 and [[Shaukat Aziz]] was eventually appointed as prime minister, securing 151 out of 191 votes in the National Assembly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3941185.stm | title=Shaukat Aziz profile from BBC |work=BBC News| date=19 August 2004 | access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref> The XVII amendment featured a [[semi-presidential system]] allowing the presidency to keep the interference{{clarify|date=July 2017}} [[Government of Pakistan|executive]] and the [[Judiciary of Pakistan|judiciary]].<ref name="17thA"/> The [[2008 Pakistani general elections|general elections in 2008]] resulted in the PPP coming to power and supporting the [[Movement to impeach Pervez Musharraf|movement]] to oust Pervez Musharraf.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17853458 | title=Yousaf Raza Gillani profile from BBC |work=BBC News| date=19 June 2012 | access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref> A populist [[Lawyer's movement|intellectual movement]] leading to the departure of Pervez Musharraf allowed [[Asif Ali Zardari|Asif Zardari]] to become president. In 2010, the [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|XVIII Amendment]] to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed to reverse the XVII amendment; it returned the country to being a [[Parliamentary democracy|parliamentary democratic]] [[Parliamentary republic|republic]]. The XVIII Amendment removed all powers of the presidency to dissolve the Parliament unilaterally and sweep away the powers amassed by the former presidents Pervez Musharraf and [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]] to maintain a delicate [[check and balance]].<ref name="18thA">{{cite news |url=http://www.na.gov.pk/passed_bill/passed_bill_2010/constitution_eighteenth_amendment_act2010_080410.pdf | title=Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan | publisher=[[National Assembly of Pakistan]] | access-date=8 September 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601063509/http://www.na.gov.pk/passed_bill/passed_bill_2010/constitution_eighteenth_amendment_act2010_080410.pdf | archive-date=1 June 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Following a [[contempt of court]] case, the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|Supreme Court]] permanently disqualified Prime Minister [[Yousuf Raza Gillani]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Pakistan/Pak-SC-disqualifies-Gilani-new-PM-to-be-selected-soon/Article1-874936.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620011432/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Pakistan/Pak-SC-disqualifies-Gilani-new-PM-to-be-selected-soon/Article1-874936.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 June 2012| title= Pak SC disqualifies Gilani; new PM to be selected soon | work=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=19 June 2012 | access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref> Originally, the PPP nomination was [[Makhdoom Shahbuddin]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-Peoples-Party-nominates-Makhdoom-Shahbuddin-as-new-PM/articleshow/14290963.cms| title= Pakistan Peoples Party nominates Makhdoom Shahbuddin as new PM | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=20 June 2012}}</ref> but he was forced to withdraw after the [[Anti-Narcotics Force|ANF]] issued non-bailable [[arrest warrant]]s against him.<ref name="Raja Pervez Ashraf for PM"/> [[Raja Pervaiz Ashraf]] became the prime minister and remained in office until 2013.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="Raja Pervez Ashraf for PM">{{cite news | title=Raja Pervez Ashraf nominated new Prime Minister of Pakistan |url=http://brecorder.com/top-news/1-front-top-news/63562-raja-pervez-ashraf-nominated-new-prime-minister-of-pakistan.html | newspaper=[[Business Recorder]] | first=Muhammad | last=Nabi | date=22 June 2012 | access-date=8 September 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826092346/http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1-front-top-news/63562-raja-pervez-ashraf-nominated-new-prime-minister-of-pakistan.html | archive-date=26 August 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Raja pervez Ashraf new PM">{{cite news | title=Raja Pervez Ashraf declared new Pakistani PM |url=http://dawn.com/2012/06/22/parliament-begins-new-pm-election/ | access-date=22 June 2012 | newspaper=The Dawn | date=22 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/PPP-nominates-Raja-Pervez-Ashraf-as-new-Pakistan-PM/articleshow/14335666.cms | title= PPP nominates Raja Pervez Ashraf as new Pakistan PM | newspaper=The Times of India | date=22 June 2012 | access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref> The [[2013 Pakistani general elections|general election held in 2013]] saw the PML(N) almost achieve a supermajority. Following this, Nawaz Sharif was elected as prime minister, returning to the post for the third time after a fourteen-year absence, in a democratic transition. In July 2017, Nawaz Sharif was disqualified as prime minister, not on the corruption charges linked to Panama papers leak that he was questioned for in extension due to his sons, but for failing to declare as in his nomination papers, salary from a company owned by his son. His lawyer insisted that though the ousted prime minister ''was'' designated chairman of the company, he had never drawn any salary from the company, however, the judges consulting Black's Law Dictionary chose to disqualify Nawaz Sharif for not paying taxes on an asset he never held but could have.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 2017 |title=Pakistani court removes PM Nawaz Sharif from office in Panama Papers case |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/28/pakistani-court-disqualifies-pm-nawaz-sharif-from-office |website=[[TheGuardian.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Zain |date=2017-07-28 |title=The technicality that led to Nawaz Sharif's disqualification |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1348211 |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

On 18 August 2018, Imran Khan was sworn in as the country's 22nd prime minister.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1426329|title=Imran to take oath as PM on August 18: PTI|last=Raza|first=Syed Irfan|date=11 August 2018|work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|access-date=12 August 2018}}</ref> On 10 April 2022, a [[2022 Pakistani constitutional crisis|constitutional crisis]] culminated in Khan losing a [[motion of no confidence]] with 174 votes cast against him, ending his premiership and making him the first Prime Minister of Pakistan to be legitimately removed from office, through a motion of no confidence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1684168/imran-khan-loses-no-trust-vote-prime-ministerial-term-set-for-unceremonious-end|title=Imran Khan loses no-trust vote, prime ministerial term set for unceremonious end|date=April 9, 2022|work=Dawn}}</ref>

On 11th April 2022, [[Shehbaz Sharif]] was elected as the country's 23rd Prime Minister. He won by majority 174 votes in the National Assembly of Pakistan. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawn.com |date=2022-04-11 |title=Shehbaz Sharif elected prime minister of Pakistan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1684500 |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaman |first=Q. |title=Shehbaz Sharif elected as Pakistan's new prime minister |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/11/shehbaz-sharif-elected-as-pakistans-new-prime-minister |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Sharif will serve a term, at most of almost one year to fulfill Imran Khan's term until the [[Next Pakistani general election|2023 Pakistani General Election]], though the election may be called earlier.

On 3rd March 2024, [[Shehbaz Sharif]] was re-elected for the second time as the country's 24th Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=Web |date=2024-03-03 |title=Shahbaz Sharif elected as 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan |url=https://humnews.pk/latest/shahbaz-sharif-elected-as-24th-prime-minister-of-pakistan/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Hum NEWS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-03 |title=Shehbaz Sharif wins Pakistan's top job for second time |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/shehbaz-sharif-wins-pakistans-top-084138706.html |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-SG}}</ref> He won by majority in the National Assembly of Pakistan against [[Omar Ayub Khan]] in a disputed elections.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shehbaz Sharif 'elected' Pakistan PM weeks after disputed elections |url=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shehbaz-sharif-elected-pakistan-pm-weeks-after-disputed-elections-696118 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=WION |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Constitutional law==
{{Politics of Pakistan}}
The [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]] envisages a scheme of affairs in which the [[president of Pakistan]] is the [[head of state]] who represents the "unity of the Republic." The [[system of government]] in Pakistan is based on [[Constitution of Pakistan|codified constitution]] which sees the prime minister as "[[chief executive]] of the Republic."

{{blockquote|text=Subject to the Constitution 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."|sign=[http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch3.html Article 90(1)] in Chapter 3: The Federal Government of Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]|source=source<ref name="pakistani.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch3.html|title=Chapter 3: "The Federal Government" of Part III: "The Federation of Pakistan"|website=pakistani.org}}</ref>}}

The prime minister is also the chairman of the [[Council of Common Interests]] as set by:
{{blockquote|text=1 There shall be a Council of Common Interests, in this Chapter referred to as the Council, to be appointed by the President<br />
(2) The Council shall consist of-<br />
(a) the Prime Minister who shall be the Chairman of the Council;<br />
(b) the Chief Ministers of the Provinces;<br />
(c) three members from the Federal Government to be nominated by the Prime Minister from time to time.|sign=[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part5.ch3.html Article 153] in Chapter 3: Special Provisions of Part V: Relations between Federation and Provinces in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]|source=source<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part5.ch3.html|title=Chapter 3: "Special Provisions" of Part V: "Relations between Federation and Provinces"|website=pakistani.org}}</ref>}}

As in most of the [[parliamentary democracies]], a [[head of state]]'s duties are mostly ceremonial. The prime minister of Pakistan is the [[head of government]] and has the responsibility for executive power. With Pakistan following a [[parliamentary system]] of government, the Prime minister is generally the leader of a party (or coalition of parties) that has a majority in the [[National Assembly (Pakistan)|National Assembly]]&nbsp;—the [[lower house]] of the [[Parliament of Pakistan]]. The prime minister, in common with all other ministers, has to be a member of [[National Assembly (Pakistan)|National Assembly]].<ref name="pakistani.org" />

===Role and powers===
[[Image:House of the Prime Minister of Pakistan in Islamabad.jpg|thumb|left|280px|[[Prime Minister's Office (Pakistan)|Prime Minister's Office]] in Islamabad, the principal workplace of the prime minister.]]
The principal workplace of the prime minister is the [[Prime Minister's Office (Pakistan)|Prime Minister's Office]] located in northeast Islamabad. The [[official residence]], known as Prime Minister Enclave, is near the Prime Minister's Office. The prime minister is the [[Chief executive officer|chief executive]] who [[Head of government|heads and exercises the authority]] of the [[Government of Pakistan]]. After obtaining a [[vote of confidence]], the prime minister is invited by the president to take the [[oath of office]] and form the government.<ref name="pakistani.org" /> In practice, the prime minister nominates the members of the [[Cabinet of Pakistan|Cabinet]] who supervise the important functions and ministries of the Government of Pakistan<ref name="pakistani.org" /> and communicates to the president all decisions of the Cabinet relating to the administration of affairs of state and proposals for legislation.<ref>Article 46(a) in Chapter 1: The President in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan of the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]</ref>

The prime minister, in consultation with the Cabinet, schedules and attends the sessions of the Parliament and is required to answer questions from members of parliament to the ministers.
The prime minister makes appointments on various important positions, including:
* The [[Federal Secretary|federal secretaries]] as head of cabinet-level ministries
* The [[Chief Secretary (Pakistan)|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 [[National Highway Authority|NHA]], [[Pakistan International Airlines|PIA]], [[Pakistan National Shipping Corporation|PNSC]] etc.
* The chairmen and other members of the federal commissions and public institutions
* Ambassadors and High Commissioners to other countries

Some specific ministries are usually allocated to the prime minister:
* [[Planning Commission (Pakistan)|Planning Commission]]
* [[National Command Authority (Pakistan)|National Command Authority]]
* [[National Security Council (Pakistan)|National Security Council]]
* [[Economic Coordination Committee]]
* [[Cabinet Committee on National Security]]

The prime minister is vested with command authority over the [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction|Pakistani nuclear arsenal]] and represents the country in various delegations, high-level meetings, and international organisations that require the attendance of the highest government office and also addresses the nation on various issues of national importance.<ref name="National Assembly press"/>

===Eligibility===
The [[Constitution of Pakistan]] requires that the prime minister be a member of the National Assembly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch2.html|title=Chapter 2: "Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)" of Part III: "The Federation of Pakistan"|website=pakistani.org}}</ref> As well as this, one must:
* be a [[Citizenship of Pakistan|citizen]] of Pakistan.
* be a [[Muslim]]
* be above 25 years of age
* be able to prove good conduct of character and be not commonly known to violate Islamic injunctions
* have adequate knowledge of Islamic teachings and practice obligatory duties prescribed by Islam, as well as abstaining from major sins
* have not, after the establishment of Pakistan, worked against the integrity of the country or opposed the [[ideology of Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.na.gov.pk/en/content.php?id=10|title=Qualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)}}</ref>

===Selection and removal===
The candidates for the prime minister are members of the National Assembly who were chosen through [[Elections in Pakistan|direct elections]] by [[Direct election|popular vote]] following campaigning on the [[Pakistani political parties|party platforms]].<ref name="The Guardians, Pakistan Bureau">{{cite news|last1=Hanif|first1=Mohammad|title=Pakistan elections: how Nawaz Sharif beat Imran Khan and what happens next|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/13/pakistan-elections-nawaz-sharif-imran-khan|access-date=20 May 2015|agency=The Guardians|publisher=The Guardians, Pakistan Bureau|date=13 May 2013}}</ref> Usually, the leader of the majority party in the [[Pakistani parliament|parliament]] retains the office of prime minister, and forms the government either by [[Coalition government|coalition]] or by [[Simple majority voting|simple majority]].<ref name="The Guardians">{{cite news|last1=Boone|first1=Jon|title=Nawaz Sharif: rightwing tycoon who has won over liberals&nbsp;– for now|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/17/nawaz-sharif-pakistan-profile|access-date=20 May 2015|agency=The Guardians|publisher=The Guardians|date=17 May 2013}}</ref> The candidate must retain the [[vote of confidence]] of the members of the parliament before being invited by the president to form the [[Government of Pakistan|government]].<ref name="pakistani.org" />

The prime minister can be removed before the expiry of the term through a [[vote of no confidence]] in the parliament.<ref name="pakistani.org" /> If the vote of no confidence is passed by the [[National Assembly (Pakistan)|National Assembly]] by a simple majority, the prime minister ceases to retain the office.<ref name="pakistani.org" /> In the past, prime ministers (and their governments) have been dismissed by the president exercising the [[Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|VIII Amendment]] to the [[Constitution of Pakistan]] (1985), but this was repealed by the [[Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan|XVIII Amendment]] to the Constitution of Pakistan (2010).<ref name=Routledge>{{cite book|last1=Aziz|first1=Mazhar|title=The Military Control in Pakistan: The Parallel State|date=2007|publisher=Routledge|location=United States|isbn=978-1134074105|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FuPfooVvD48C&q=eighth+amendment+to+the+constitution+of+pakistan&pg=PA71|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Omar |first1=Imtiaz |date=2002 |title=Emergency powers and the courts in India and Pakistan |location=England |publisher=Kluwer Law International |isbn=978-9041117755}}</ref> The prime minister has absolute constitutional immunity from criminal and civil proceedings, and no proceedings can be initiated or continued against him during the term of his office.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch4.html Article 248(1)] in Chapter 4: constitutionGeneral of Part XII: Miscellaneous in the Constitution of Pakistan.</ref>

In 2012, the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]] has ceased at least [[Yousaf Raza Gillani|one prime minister]] from retaining the office due to [[contempt of court]] after retroactively disqualifying the [[Member of parliament|membership]] of the [[Pakistani parliament|parliament]] permanently.<ref name="New York Times, Pakistan Bureau">{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=declan|title=Political Instability Rises as Pakistani Court Ousts Premier|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/20/world/asia/political-instability-rises-as-pakistani-court-dismisses-prime-minister.html|access-date=20 May 2015|work=The New York Times|date=19 June 2012}}</ref><ref name="Reuters, Pakistan Bureau">{{cite news|last1=Nauman|first1=Qaiser|title=Pakistan Supreme Court disqualifies prime minister|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-gilani-idUSBRE85I0KS20120619|access-date=20 May 2015|work=Reuters|publisher=Reuters, Pakistan Bureau|date=19 June 2012}}</ref>

On 28 July 2017, the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]] disqualified the prime minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] from retaining the office due to his failure in fulfilling the eligibility requirements as enshrined in Articles 62 of the Constitution. This was in the aftermath of the Supreme Court hearing regarding the [[Panama Papers case (Pakistan)|Panama Papers Case]]. This also resulted in him being permanently disqualified from [[Member of parliament|membership]] of the [[Pakistani parliament|parliament]].<ref name="Dawn News">{{cite news|title=Pakistan Supreme Court disqualifies prime minister|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1348191/panamagate-strict-security-around-sc-ahead-of-verdict|access-date=28 July 2017|work=Dawn|date=28 July 2017}}</ref>

The prime minister is elected by the National Assembly.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part3.ch3.html Article 91] in Chapter 3: of the [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> The National Assembly meets on the twenty-first day after a general election (at least every five years) unless the president calls for a vote of no confidence. Whichever member of the National assembly is chosen serves as the prime minister until the next election or until he fails to maintain the confidence of the National Assembly.

{{Quotation|91.  The Cabinet:
(1) There shall be a Cabinet of Ministers, with the Prime Minister at its head, to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions.

(2) The National Assembly shall meet on the twenty-first day following the day on which a general election to the Assembly is held unless sooner summoned by the President.

(3) After the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the National Assembly shall, to the exclusion of any other business, proceed to elect without debate one of its Muslim members to be the Prime Minister.

(4) The Prime Minister shall be elected by the votes of the majority of the total membership of the National Assembly:

Provided that, if no member secures such majority in the first poll, a second poll shall be held between the members who secure the two highest numbers of votes in the first poll and the member who secures a majority of votes of the members present and voting shall be declared to have been elected as Prime Minister:

Provided further that, if the number of votes secured by two or more members securing the highest number of votes is equal, further poll shall be held between them until one of them secures a majority of votes of the members present and voting.

(5) The member elected under clause (4) shall be called upon by the President to assume the office of Prime Minister and he shall, before entering upon the office, make before the President oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule:

Provided that there shall be no restriction on the number of terms for the office of the Prime Minister. }}

===Oath of office===
The prime minister is required to make and subscribe to, in the presence of the [[President of Pakistan|president]], an oath or affirmation that they shall protect, preserve and defend the Constitution as follows:

{{Quotation|I, ____________, do swear solemnly that l am a [[Muslim]] and believe in the [[Monotheism in Islam|Unity and Oneness]] of Almighty [[Allah]], the [[People of the Book|Books of Allah]], the [[Holy Quran|''Holy Qura'an'']] being the last of them, the [[Prophet of Islam|Prophethood]] of [[Muhammad]] ([[Peace be upon him (Islam)|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 Prime Minister 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 strive to preserve the Islamic Ideology which is the basis for the creation 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 favor, 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 Prime Minister except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as Prime Minister.

May Allah Almighty help and guide me ([[Amen|''A'meen'']]).<ref>Article 91 in Chapter 3: The Federal Government in Part III: The Federation of Pakistan in the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]</ref>}}

==See also==
* [[Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of Pakistan]]
* [[Air transports of heads of state and government#Pakistan|Air transports of heads of state and government]]
* [[Federal Secretary]]
* [[Grade 22]]
* [[Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan]]
* [[List of prime ministers of Pakistan]]
* [[Prime Minister House, Pakistan]]

==Notes==
<references group="n"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=R.S.N.|title=The military factor in Pakistan|date=2008|publisher=Frankfort, IL|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-0981537894}}
* {{cite book|last1=Hasanie|first1=Ali Abbas|title=Democracy in pakistan : crises, conflicts and hope for a change.|date=2013|publisher=Authorhouse|location=[S.l.]|isbn=978-1481790680|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wcxh_ZIwK-MC&q=Prime+Minister+of+Pakistan&pg=PA4|access-date=6 May 2015}}

{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://pmo.gov.pk/pm_profile.php Profile] on the website of the government of Pakistan

{{PakistaniPMs}}
{{Chief Executives of Pakistan}}
{{Government of Pakistan}}
{{Cabinet of the Government of Pakistan}}
{{Pakistan Armed Forces}}
{{Pakistan topics}}
{{Prime Minister}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prime Minister of Pakistan}}
[[Category:Politics of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Pakistan| ]]
[[Category:Parliament of Pakistan]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Pakistan]]