Pakistan’s Political System
🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)
Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your PPSC exam.
Pakistan’s Political System — Key Facts
Federal Structure
- Federal Government: President, Prime Minister, Cabinet
- 4 Provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan
- Parliament: National Assembly (lower) + Senate (upper)
Key Offices
- President: Ceremonial head (after 18th Amendment)
- Prime Minister: Chief executive
- Chief Ministers: Heads of provincial governments
1973 Constitution
- Current constitution (amended)
- Parliamentary system (after 18th Amendment)
- Bicameral Parliament (342 + 100 = 442 seats)
⚡ PPSC High-Yield: 18th Amendment restored parliamentary system, provincial autonomy increased.
🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)
Chapter: Pakistan’s Political System
1.1 Constitution History
Objective Resolution (1949)
- Liaquat Ali Khan
- Became preamble of all subsequent constitutions
Constitution of 1956
- First constitution
- Islamic Republic declared
Constitution of 1962
- Ayub Khan era
- Presidential system
Constitution of 1973 — Current
- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government
- Passed April 10-11, 1973
- Parliamentary system
1.2 18th Amendment (2010) — Most Important
Changes Made
- Restored parliamentary system: President’s powers reduced
- Removed Concurrent List: More powers to provinces
- Enhanced NFC Award: Provincial share increased to 57.5%
- Devolved 17 federal ministries to provinces
- Chief Minister strengthened: More autonomy
1.3 President of Pakistan
Election
- Indirect: Elected by Parliament and Provincial Assemblies
- 5-year term
Powers (After 18th Amendment — Reduced)
- Ceremonial head
- Commander in Chief of armed forces
- Can dissolve National Assembly (on PM’s advice with confidence vote)
- Pardon/reprieve power
1.4 Prime Minister
Election
- Leader of the house (National Assembly)
- Must have confidence of National Assembly
- 5-year term
Powers
- Chief executive (real power)
- Cabinet formation
- Policy decisions
- Summon/Adjourn Parliament
1.5 Parliament
National Assembly
- 342 seats (266 general, 60 women, 16 minorities)
- Direct elections
- 5-year term
- Speaker
Senate
- 100 seats (14 each from 4 provinces, 8 from ICT, 4 from tribal areas)
- Indirect elections (by provincial assemblies)
- 6-year term (one-third retire every 3 years)
1.6 Provincial Governments
Structure
- Chief Minister: Head of government
- Governor: President’s representative (ceremonial)
- Provincial Assembly: Unicameral
Provincial Assemblies
| Province | Seats |
|---|---|
| Punjab | 371 |
| Sindh | 168 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 145 |
| Balochistan | 65 |
1.7 18th Amendment Details
Devolved Subjects
After 18th Amendment, provinces have:
- Health, education, agriculture, irrigation
- Police, law and order, local government
- Environment, social welfare
Federal Subjects (Exclusive)
- Defense, foreign affairs, currency, banking, customs, communications
1.8 PPSC High-Yield Points
⚡ Commonly Asked:
- Current constitution: 1973
- 18th Amendment: Restored parliamentary system
- National Assembly seats: 342
- Senate seats: 100
- President: Indirectly elected by Parliament and Provincial Assemblies
- PM: Chief executive
- NFC Award: 57.5% to provinces (after 18th Amendment)
- Concurrent List: Abolished by 18th Amendment
- Parliament: Bicameral (National Assembly + Senate)
- Provincial autonomy: Enhanced by 18th Amendment