Executive Branch

PRESIDENT: PERVEZ MUSHARRAF

General Pervez Musharraf assumed office of the President of Pakistan on 12th October 1999. After fulfilling his commitment to the people of Pakistan to hold general elections in the country on 10th October 2002, he transferred the powers of Chief Executive to the newly elected Prime Minister. On restoration of the Constitution, he was administered fresh oath of office of President on 31st October 2002.

President Musharraf envisions Pakistan as a modern and moderate Islamic state. His bold initiatives to ensure Pakistan’s steady progression on the road to sustainable economic and social development have been internationally praised. He considers people of Pakistan as the most precious asset and, therefore, has always accorded special focus to human resource development in the country. A man who loves peace, he has shown his predisposition to dialogue over confrontation and finding just solutions to international disputes in accordance with UN resolutions.

The President is elected by members of both Houses of the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies. The President may be removed from office or impeached through a resolution, passed by not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the Parliament in a joint sitting of the two Houses, convened for the purpose.

The Constitution empowers the President to dissolve the National Assembly in his discretion if a situation has arisen in which the Government of the Federation cannot be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and an appeal to the electorate is necessary. However, the Senate is not subject to dissolution.

In case the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason, the Chairman of the Senate, or if he is unable to perform the functions of the office of the President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, acts as President till such time that a President is elected. Same is the case when the President by reason of absence from Pakistan or any other cause is unable to perform his functions.

PRIME MINISTER: SHAUKAT AZIZ

* Born at Karachi, 6th March 1949.

* Early education at Saint Patrick's School, Karachi and Abbottabad Public School, Abbottabad.

* Graduate ( B.Sc)in 1967 from Gordon College, Rawalpindi.

* Obtained MBA Degree in 1969 from Institute of Business Administration, University of Karachi.

* Started his career in 1969 when he joined Citibank, Karachi. Moved overseas in 1975 and has since served in several countries including the Philippines, Jordan, Greece, USA, UK, Malaysia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia. His assignments included Head of Corporate and Investment Banking for the Asia Pacific Region; Head of Corporate and Investment Banking for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Corporate Planning Officer, Citicorp; Managing Director, Saudi American Bank; and Global Head, Private Banking for Citigroup. He was appointed Vice President of Citibank in 1992 and has had 30 years of experience in global finance and international banking.

* Mr. Aziz is a frequent Speaker on international finance and has attended numerous forums, seminars and conference on international finance as well as attended management course at several universities. He has been a member of the Board of
several Citibank owned entities including Saudi American Bank, Citi Islamic Bank as well as several non-profit organizations.

* In November 1999 Mr. Aziz was appointed as Pakistan's Minister of Finance with responsibility for Finance, economic Affairs, Statistics, Planning and Development and Revenue Division. As Minister of Finance,Mr. Aziz is also Chairman of
Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet, Chairman, Executive Committee of National Economic Council and chairman, Cabinet Committee on Privatization. 'Euro money ' and Bankers Magazine' has declared him as the Finance Minister of the year 2001. The democratically elected Government of Prime Minister Jamali has also retained him as Finance Minister, which indicates continuation of Finance and Economic Reforms Agenda. Mr. Aziz was elected Senator in 2002.

* Mr. Aziz enjoys golf, music and art. He is married with three children.

* He was elected as Member National Assembly in by election from two constituencies, NA -59 Attock NA- 239 Mithi, Tharparkar. He has retained the Attock seat. Shaukat Aziz was sworn in as 23th Prime Minister of Pakistan on August 28, 2004.

LEGISTATIVE BRANCH

PARLIAMENT

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan provides for a Federal Parliamentary System of government, with President as the Head of State and the popularly elected Prime Minister as Head of government. The Federal Legislature is a bicameral Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora), composed of the National Assembly and the Senate. The Constitution also provides for the President to address the two Houses assembled together at the commencement of the first session after General Elections.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The National Assembly is one of the two Houses of Parliament, with a total membership of 272 elected through universal adult suffrage. 60 seats for Women & 10 Minorities. The break up of 342 seats is as follows:

Total Muslims Members 272, Women 60, Province-wise Distribution
 

Minroites

Functions

The most hectic session coincides with the passage of the Federal Budget in May/June, every year. The National Assembly enjoys exclusive powers to consider Money bills including the annual budget. The National Assembly also provides a minimum of three-fourth of the Cabinet strength and the member who enjoys the confidence of the majority in this august House is invited by the President to be the Prime Minister and form the Government. The Prime Minister is, therefore, a member of the National Assembly who enjoys the support of the majority of the members in the House. The cabinet is also collectively responsible to the Assembly alone.

SENATE

The main purpose for the creation of the Senate of Pakistan was to give equal representation to all the federating units since the membership of the National Assembly was based on the population of each province. Equal provincial membership in the Senate, thus, balances the provincial inequality in the National Assembly and dispels doubts and apprehension, if any, regarding deprivation and exploitation.
The role of the Senate is to promote national cohesion and harmony and to alleviate fears of the smaller provinces regarding domination by any one province because of its majority, in the National Assembly.
The Senate, is a body which represents the provinces and territories of the country and promotes a feeling of equality, peace and good understanding between them.
Composition
The Senate consists of 100 members that is:

1. Four Provinces (Balochistan, Twenty-two from each province
NWFP, Punjab and Sindh) (fourteen general, four technocrats and four women)

2. Federal Capital Four (two generals, one technocrat and one woman)

3. Eight Federally Administered Agencies

Though seventeen seats have been allocated to women, there is no bar on women to seek elections on the other seats.

Elections

Senate elections take place in accordance with Article 59 of the Constitution, as amended through the Legal Framework Order, 2002. Each of the four provincial assemblies elect twenty two members from their respective provinces which include fourteen on general seats, four on seats reserved for technocrats and four on seats reserved for women. Four members i.e. two on general seats, one technocrat and one woman are elected from the Federal Capital whereas eight members are elected from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in such manner as the President may prescribe by order.

The Senate is a permanent legislative body which symbolizes a process of continuity in the national affairs. The term of its members is six years. However, one-half of its members retire after every three years. A casual vacancy in the Senate, caused by resignation, death, incapacitation, disqualification or removal of a member, is filled through election by the respective electoral college and the member so elected holds office for the un-expired term of the member whose vacancy he has filled.

A person seeking election to the Senate should be a graduate of not less than thirty years of age and should be registered as a voter in an area or province from where he seeks election and should meet other qualifications prescribed under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

Chairman and Deputy Chairman

After the Senate has been duly constituted, at its first meeting, it elects, from amongst its members, a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman. Whenever the office of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman becomes vacant the Senate elects another member as Chairman or as the case may be, the Deputy Chairman.

Term of office of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman is three years. In absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman acts as Chairman.

MINISTRIES
 

Ministry of Commerce

The Ministry works to liberalize flow of trade, remove bottlenecks and wherever possible move-away from a regulated to a liberalized and open trading system. The goal is to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to profit from their innovations and opportunities ensuing from the liberalized and fair trade regime.
 

Ministry of Communications

The Ministry of Communications is responsible for policy matters, pertaining to Shipping, Navigation, Mercantile and Marine services.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs & Statistics

The Ministry is responsible for negotiating foreign economic technical assistance, by coordinating with U.N. and International organizations.

The Ministry of Education

The responsibility of the Education Division is development and coordination of national policies and programs in education and to monitor progress or decline in all aspects of the educational system in the country.

Ministry of Defense

The Ministry is responsible for policy and administrative matters pertaining to the defense of the nation and the three armed forces: army, naval and air forces.

Ministry of Industries and Production

The Ministry facilitates economic development by working to create an enabling environment that will promote industrial development, enhance the value and exportability of products at competitive prices in a global economy.
Ministry of Environment

This Ministry is the focal point for national policy, plans and programs regarding environmental planning, pollution and ecology, including physical planning and human settlements, urban water supply sewerage and drainage. The Division also deals with other countries and international organizations in the fields housing and human settlements.

Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock

The Ministry is mainly responsible for policy formulation, economic coordination and planning in respect of food grain, agricultural & livestock. It also includes procurement of food grains, fertilizer, import price stabilization of agriculture produce, international liaison, economic studies for framing agricultural policies and policies regarding fisheries beyond territorial waters.

Ministry of Health

The Ministry is responsible for matters concerning national planning and coordination in the field of Health, in particular, legislation pertaining to the drugs and medicines. The ministry also oversees nursing, dental and pharmaceutical fields and looks to maintain an adequate national health education standard in both rural and urban areas.

Ministry of Housing and Works

This Division is responsible for acquisition and development of sites as well as construction and maintenance of Federal Government buildings.

Ministry of Information Technology

The Ministry is the enabling arm of the Government of Pakistan for planning coordinating and directing efforts to launch Information Technology and Telecommunications programs aimed at the economic development of the country.

The Ministry of Science and Technology

The Ministry administers scientific and technological research with the goal of achieving rapid economic development and national security and thereby enhancing self reliance and improving the living standard of masses and ensuring the national security.

The Ministry of Interior

The Ministry has the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the country. It also regulates the working of various security forces, including Police, to provide protection to the common man and to defend the country. It also deals in issuance of National ID cards and passports.

Ministry of Kashmir Affairs
The Ministry has been assigned the responsibility of policy administration and development in the Northern Areas and Tribal Area including relief and rehabilitation work in the Northern Areas together with the provision of Civil Supplies, Administration of Jammu & Kashmir State Property in Pakistan, Levies and Khassadars as well as issues relating to Afghan Refugees.

In addition, this Division is also involved in the activities like developing the relations with Azad Jammu & Kashmir Council and Azad Government of State Jammu & Kashmir. Relief and the rehabilitation work of the Northern Areas together with provision of Civil Supplies, anti sub-version measures, agreement with the tribes, and visits of foreigners to the tribal areas.

The Ministry of Law, Justice & Human Rights

The Ministry tenders advice to the Federal Government, as well as provincial governments on legal and constitutional questions. It also deals with drafting, scrutiny and examination of bills, international agreements.

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources

The Ministry’s goal is to ensure the availability and security of a sustainable supply of oil and gas for economic developments and strategic requirements of Pakistan and to coordinate development of natural resources of minerals and natural resources.

The Ministry of Water and Power

The Ministry monitors power generation, transmission and distribution and performs supervisory and advisory role for smooth operation of power sector. It also coordinates inter-provincial water sharing issues and activities related to irrigation, drainage and water logging.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs

The Ministry is responsible for the pilgrimages beyond Pakistan and for the welfare and safety of pilgrims.

Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education

The Ministry plays the role of advocate, planner and coordinator of women, children, elderly, disabled and destitute. It works to promote equality of opportunity in education, training, employment and health care facilities.

JUDICIAL BRANCH

There is a Supreme Court in Pakistan and a High Court in each province, and other smaller courts exercising civil and criminal jurisdiction. The Supreme Court and High Courts have been established under the Constitution and other Courts have been established through the Acts of Parliament or Acts of Provincial Assemblies. The Chief Justice heads the Supreme Court. The President appoints the Chief Justice and the judges. At present, besides the Chief Justice, there are thirteen other Judges in the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court hold office until the age of sixty-five.

The Supreme Court, to the exclusion of every other Court in Pakistan, has the jurisdiction to pronounce declaratory judgments in any dispute between the Federal Government and a provincial government or between any two or more provincial governments. If, at any time, the President considers that it is desirable to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court on any question of law which he considers of public importance, he may refer the question to the Supreme Court for consideration.

There is a High Court in each of the four provinces. A Judge of the High Court is appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Governor of the Province and the Chief Justice of the High Court in which appointment is to be made. A High Court has the power to make rules regulating its practice and procedure as well as the workings of courts subordinate to it. Each High Court supervises and controls all courts subordinate to it and any decision of a High Court binds all courts subordinate to it.

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