CHAPTER NO 2

Topic: no 1. Structure and functions of Government in Pakistan

Introduction

The government of Pakistan Romanized: Hakumat-e-Pakistan) abbreviated as GoP, is a federal

government established by the constitution of Pakistan.

The government is mainly composed of the following branches:

1. Executive

2. Legislative

3. Judicial branches

1st Legislative branch: (The Parliament of Pakistan)

The legislative branch is known as the parliament , it is the federal and supreme legislative body of
Pakistan. It is a bicameral federal legislature that consists of two houses;

a) The National Assembly is the lower house and has 342 members. 272 are elected directly by the
people, while70 seats are reserved for women and religious minorities. The National Assembly is elected
for a five-year term.

b) The Senate is the upper house and has 104 senators elected indirectly by members of provincial
assemblies for six-year terms.

The role of Legislative branch: (The Parliament of Pakistan)

1. Legislation:

The assembly is empowered to make and implement laws e.g criminal laws under the light of
constitution of Pakistan.

2. Overseeing government matters:

To question government progress and to raise important issues related to public necessities and foreign
political matters.

3. Financial accountability:

Assembly exercises its control over financial matters of the government i.e. pre budget discussions and
passing of budget

2nd Executive branch

The executive is the branch of government exercising authority in and holding responsibility for the
governance of a state. The executive executes and enforces law.

The executive branch of government also authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the
state bureaucracy.

In a Parliamentary system, a cabinet minister (Prime Minister) responsible to the legislature is the head
of government, while the head of state president

Executive branch includes the following 2 main groups:

A) Prime Minister and Cabinet

B) The President

Prime Minister and Cabinet

The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the executive head of government of Pakistan, Constitutionally
designated as the Chief Executive (CE) Popularly elected by direct elections in the parliament.

The Prime Minister is responsible for appointing a cabinet as well as running the government
operations.

The President

The President of Pakistan is a ceremonial figurehead, a ceremonial head of state representing the unity
of a country.

Elected for a five-year term by an indirect elections, the electoral college consisting of members of the
Senate, National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies.

The President exercises his or her executive powers on the advice of the Prime Minister.

3rd Judiciary Branch

They are responsible to interpret and enforce the law.

Think of judges in courts as people who make sure everyone plays by the rules. They decide if
something is fair or not.

It is divided into following sections

1. Supreme Court

2. High Court

3. Federal Shariat Court

4. Civil Court
5. Criminal Court (Magistrates’ Courts)

Think of judges in courts as people who make sure everyone plays by the rules. They decide if something
is fair or not.

Functions of Government

The government in Pakistan has four main jobs:

Making rules (laws) that everyone in the country must follow.

Taking care of the country and its people, like making sure there are schools, hospitals, and roads.

Talking to other countries and making deals with them.

Making sure everyone follows the rules and is treated fairly.