The President of Pakistan

Qualifications and election

• Must be a Muslim, at least 45 years old, and qualified to be a member of the National Assembly (Article 41).
• Elected by an electoral college of both houses of Parliament and the four provincial assemblies; each provincial assembly's votes are weighted equally to those of the smallest assembly (Balochistan).
• Term of five years; no one can hold office for more than two consecutive terms (Article 44).

Powers and functions

• Acts on the advice of the Prime Minister or Cabinet (Article 48), but may return advice once for reconsideration.
• Summons and prorogues Parliament and addresses it (Articles 54, 56).
• Assents to bills (Article 75).
• Issues ordinances when Parliament is not in session (Article 89).
• Grants pardons and reprieves (Article 45).
• Appoints governors, judges, service chiefs, the Auditor-General and other officials on advice.
• Dissolves the National Assembly on the Prime Minister's advice (Article 58).
• Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (Article 243).

Changing powers over time

• Article 58(2)(b), added by the Eighth Amendment (1985), let the President dissolve the National Assembly at discretion; it was used to dismiss governments in 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1996.
• The Thirteenth Amendment (1997) removed it; the Seventeenth Amendment (2003) restored it; the Eighteenth Amendment (2010) removed it again, restoring parliamentary supremacy.

Removal

The President can be impeached by a two-thirds majority of the total membership of Parliament in a joint sitting for violating the constitution or gross misconduct (Article 47).

Conclusion

The President's role has swung between a powerful head of state and a ceremonial one. Under the 18th Amendment, the office is largely ceremonial and symbolizes national unity, while real executive power rests with the Prime Minister and Cabinet.