The executive

Introduction

In a narrow sense the executive means the head of state, the head of government and ministers; in a broad sense it includes the whole administrative machinery, including the police and civil service. In modern welfare states the executive has become the most powerful organ, because of the vast range of services the state provides.

Functions

• Administrative: enforcing laws, maintaining order and running government departments.
• Diplomatic: conducting foreign policy, making treaties and appointing ambassadors.
• Military: commanding and organizing the armed forces and defending the country.
• Financial: preparing the budget, collecting taxes and spending public money.
• Legislative: proposing most bills; in Pakistan the President can issue ordinances when parliament is not in session.
• Judicial: granting pardons and reprieves, and appointing judges.
• Appointments: appointing senior officials, governors and heads of institutions.
• Emergency powers: dealing with war, disasters and internal disturbances.

Kinds of executive

• Nominal and real: the nominal executive holds formal power (the President of Pakistan, the British monarch); the real executive actually governs (the Prime Minister and cabinet).
• Parliamentary and presidential: in a parliamentary system the executive is drawn from and answerable to the legislature; in a presidential system the president is separately elected and not answerable to the legislature (for example, the USA).
• Single and plural: one person holds power (the US President), or a collective body does (the Swiss Federal Council).
• Hereditary and elected: monarchies versus republics.
• Political and permanent: elected ministers versus career civil servants.

The civil service (permanent executive)

• Implements policy, gives expert advice and provides continuity when governments change.
• Recruited on merit through competitive examinations; in Pakistan the Federal Public Service Commission conducts the CSS examination, and provincial commissions conduct the PMS.
• Should be politically neutral, impartial and professional.
• Challenges: politicization, corruption, outdated procedures and resistance to reform.

The executive in Pakistan

Under the 1973 Constitution, executive authority of the federation is exercised in the President's name by the federal government, made up of the Prime Minister and federal ministers, which acts through the Prime Minister. The President is head of state and acts on the Prime Minister's advice. In the provinces, the Chief Minister and cabinet hold executive power, with the Governor as constitutional head.

Conclusion

An efficient, honest and accountable executive is necessary for good governance; its growing power must be balanced by parliamentary oversight, an independent judiciary and a free press.