Pakistan Online

Introduction to Pakistan
Government

Pakistan is governed as a parliamentary democracy along the lines of the British model. It is basically a 2 tier democracy

The federal arm, is divided into 3 branches:

The Presidency
Elected to office by the various assemblies (parliaments), the President is the Head of State and is largely a constitutional figure.

The Senate
Members to this house are appointed by the groups/parties represented in the National Assembly on quota basis. It is an upper house and acts as a monitor for the other assemblies

The National Assembly
Currently a 217 member house comprising of individuals directly elected by universal franchise. Primarily responsible for the enactment of legislation, it also houses the executive government headed by the Prime Minister who is appointed to office by demonstrating they command the support of a majority of the members of this house.
All 3 branches of the federal government are located in the capital Islamabad

The provincial arm of government is a simpler mechanism entirely. The is only one body:

where all members are directly elected by universal franchise. The assembly also houses the executive government of the province headed by the Chief Minister who like their federal counterpart must demonstrate a command of the majority within the Assembly. There are four provinces in Pakistan, each having its own assembly. Also there is a Governor for each province who is appointed to the post by the President and like the President is largely a constitutional figure.

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