Political System & Governance of Pakistan

Pakistan's Political System

Questions on Pakistan's political and governmental structure are a staple in CSS, PMS, PPSC, and FPSC exams. This covers the constitutional framework, branches of government, and key political developments.

1. Government Structure

• Type: Federal Parliamentary Republic
• Head of State: President (largely ceremonial)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister (executive authority)
• Legislature: Bicameral Parliament (National Assembly + Senate)
• National Assembly: 336 seats (266 general + 60 women + 10 minorities)
• Senate: 96 seats, equal provincial representation

2. Provincial Governments

• Each province has a Governor (appointed by President) and Chief Minister (elected)
• Provincial Assemblies legislate on provincial subjects
• Punjab: 371 seats, Sindh: 168, KP: 145, Balochistan: 65
• Local government system operates under provincial frameworks

3. Judiciary

• Supreme Court - Apex court, Chief Justice heads it
• High Courts - One in each province (Lahore, Sindh, Peshawar, Balochistan, Islamabad)
• Federal Shariat Court - Examines laws against Islamic principles
• Judicial independence ensured under the 18th and 19th Amendments

4. Key Constitutional Amendments

• 8th Amendment (1985) - Gave president power to dissolve NA
• 13th Amendment (1997) - Removed president's dissolution power
• 17th Amendment (2003) - Restored dissolution power under Musharraf
• 18th Amendment (2010) - Major decentralization, restored parliamentary supremacy
• 25th Amendment (2018) - Merged FATA with KP
• 26th Amendment (2024) - Judicial reforms, Changes to appointment procedures

5. Key Political Milestones

• 1956: First constitution adopted (republic declared)
• 1958: First martial law (Ayub Khan)
• 1962: Second constitution (presidential system)
• 1971: Fall of East Pakistan (Bangladesh)
• 1973: Current constitution adopted (parliamentary system)
• 1977-1988: Zia-ul-Haq era and Islamization
• 1988-1999: Democratic era (Benazir/Nawaz governments)
• 1999-2008: Musharraf era
• 2008 onwards: Democratic continuity

---

Key Points

• Pakistan has a federal parliamentary republic system
• 18th Amendment is the most significant constitutional change
• National Assembly has 336 total seats
• Senate has 96 seats with equal provincial representation
• Know all major constitutional amendments and their impact

Preparation Tips

• Memorize key amendment numbers and their effects
• Read the relevant articles of the 1973 Constitution
• Study Supreme Court landmark judgments for CSS
• Keep up with current political developments