Pakistan

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Pakistan Image File history File links Coat_of_arms_of_Pakistan. ...

Constitution Government President Pervez Musharraf Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Parliament Senate Chairman National Assembly Speaker Deputy Speaker Federal courts Supreme Judicial Council Supreme Court Chief Justice Federal Shariat Court Chief Justices High Courts District Courts

Elections 2008 general election 2007 presidential election Local Body Elections

Political Parties Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Pakistan Peoples Party Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan Muslim League (N) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Minor Parties

Provinces And Territories Governors Provinces Balochistan N.W.F.P Punjab Sindh Territories Islamabad FATA Azad Kashmir Northern Areas

Local Government Districts Cities Union Councils

Issues Foreign relations

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In recent history, the Pakistani political processess have taken place in the framework of a federal republic, where the system of government has at times been parliamentary, presidential, or semi-presidential. In the current semi-presidential system, the President of Pakistan is the head of state, the Prime Minister is head of government, and there is a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is largely vested in the Parliament. The President of Pakistan (Urdū: صدر مملکت Sadr-e-Mamlikat) is Head of State of Pakistan. ... General Pervez Musharraf (Urdu: ) (born August 11, 1943) serves as President of Pakistan and the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. ... The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: وزیر اعظم Wazir-e- Azam) is the Head of Government of Pakistan. ... Shaukat Aziz (Urdu:: شوکت عزیز) (born March 6, 1949 in Karachi, Pakistan) is the current Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Pakistan. ... Bold text Majlis-e-Shoora (Urdu: مجلس شوری) (Council of Advisors in Urdu, although referred to as Parliament) is the bicameral federal legislature of Pakistan that consists of the Senate (upper house) and the National Assembly (lower house). ... The Senate of Pakistan is the upper House of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan. ... The current Chairman of the Senate is Muhammad Mian Soomro An Introduction Senate History & Introduction The 1970 Assembly framed the 1973 Constitution which was passed on 12th April and promulgated on 14th August 1973. ... The National Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan. ... These are the names of Speakers and Presidents of the National Assembly of Pakistan. ... These are the names of deputy speakers of the National Assembly of Pakistan. ... The Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan is a body of judges empowered under Article 209 of the constitution of Pakistan to hear cases of misconduct against judges. ... The Supreme Court (Urdu: عدالت عظمیٰ ) is the apex court in Pakistans judicial hierarchy, the final arbiter of legal and constitutional disputes. ... The Chief Justice of Pakistan heads the Supreme Court of Pakistan. ... The Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan consists of 8 muslim judges including the Chief Justice. ... The Chief Justice heads the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan. ... There are four High Courts of Pakistan, these are based in the capital cities of the four provinces. ... The District Courts of Pakistan are courts that operate at the district level, they are controlled by the high courts. ... At the national level, Pakistan elects a bicameral legislature, the Parliament of Pakistan, which consists of a directly-elected National Assembly of Pakistan and a Senate whose members are chosen by elected provincial legislators. ... General elections will be held in Pakistan in early January 2008. ... Indirect presidential elections were held in Pakistan on 6 October 2007. ... Political parties in Pakistan lists political parties in Pakistan. ... The Pakistan Muslim League (Q), or PML-Q, is a centrist political party in Pakistan, dervied from the original Pakistan Muslim League which had laid foundation of the state of Pakistan. ... The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) (Urdu: پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی ) is a mainstream centre-left political party in Pakistan. ... Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) (Urdu: متحدہ مجلس عمل ) (United Council of Action) is a coalition between religious-political parties in Pakistan. ... MQMs Political Flag Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Urdu: متحدہ قومی موومنٹ) generally known as MQM or simply Muttahida, is one of the largest political parties in Pakistan. ... The Pakistan Muslim League (N) (Urdu: پاکستان مسلم لیگ ن) is a political party in Pakistan. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Political parties in Pakistan lists political parties in Pakistan. ... Currently, Pakistan is subdivided into four provinces, two territories, and also portions of Kashmir that are administered by the Pakistani government. ... The Provincial Governors is the head of the province in Pakistan. ... Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan. ... The Government of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) is in Peshawar, the provincial capital of the North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan. ... ... Government of Sindh is based in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. ... For the capital of Pakistan, see Islamabad. ... The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are areas of Pakistan outside the four provinces, comprising a region of some 27,220 km² (10,507 mi²). // The FATA are bordered by: Afghanistan to the west with the border marked by the Durand Line, the North-West Frontier Province and the Punjab... This article details only the area administered by Pakistan. ... This article details only the area administered by Pakistan. ... The 2001 Local Government Ordnance provides for devolution of government to district administrations. ... The Districts of Pakistan form the third tier of government in Pakistan, ranking as subdivisions of the provinces of Pakistan. ... // Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan with its population being the second largest in the world after Mumbai. ... Union Councils of Pakistan are local governments in Pakistan. ... Pakistan is the second largest Muslim country in terms of population (behind Indonesia), and its status as a declared nuclear power, being the only Islamic nation to have that status, plays a part in its international role. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... The Federal Republic of Germany and its sixteen Bundesländer (federal states) A federal republic is a federation of states with a republican form of government. ... A parliamentarian is a specialist in parliamentary procedure. ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, trade unions, universities, and countries. ... States with semi-presidential systems are shown in yellow The semi-presidential system is a system of government in which a prime minister and a president are both active participants in the day-to-day functioning of the administration of a country. ... The President of Pakistan (Urdū: صدر مملکت Sadr-e-Mamlikat) is Head of State of Pakistan. ... For the comedy film of the same name, see Head of State (film). ... The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: وزیر اعظم Wazir-e- Azam) is the Head of Government of Pakistan. ... The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ... Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... The Parliament of Pakistan is known as the Majlis-e-Shoora (Council of Advisors). ...

Executive branch

Pakistan has been under the influence of its military almost since it was founded (see Establishment (Pakistan) ). Continuing this trend, the present President Musharraf is a uniformed general. The Intelligence agencies have a huge role in the politics since the beginning in making and breaking the political parties. The president, in keeping with the constitutional provision that the state religion is Islam, must be a Muslim. Elected for a five-year term by an Electoral College consisting of members of the Senate and National Assembly and members of the provincial assemblies, the president is eligible for reelection. But no individual may hold the office for more than two consecutive terms. The president may resign or be impeached and may be removed from office for incapacity or gross misconduct by a two-thirds vote of the members of the parliament. The president generally acts on the advice of the prime minister but has important residual powers. One of the most important--a legacy of Zia--is contained in the Eighth Amendment which gives the president the power to dissolve the National Assembly "in his discretion where, in his opinion . . . a situation has arisen in which the Government of the Federation cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and an appeal to the electorate is necessary." The Thirteenth Amendment which was passed in 1997, revoked this power. In December 2003, the President's power was partially restored by the Seventeenth Amendment. In April 2004, the Presidency's influence was augmented by an Act of Parliament that established the National Security Council, a body chaired by the President. The President of Pakistan (Urdū: صدر مملکت Sadr-e-Mamlikat) is Head of State of Pakistan. ... General Pervez Musharraf (Urdu: ) (born August 11, 1943) serves as President of Pakistan and the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. ... The Pakistan Army (Urdu: پاک فوج) is the largest branch of the Pakistan military, and is mainly responsible for protection of the state borders, the security of administered territories and defending the national interests of Pakistan within the framework of its international obligations. ... is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: وزیر اعظم Wazir-e- Azam) is the Head of Government of Pakistan. ... Shaukat Aziz (Urdu:: شوکت عزیز) (born March 6, 1949 in Karachi, Pakistan) is the current Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Pakistan. ... The Pakistan Muslim League (Q), or PML-Q, is a centrist political party in Pakistan, dervied from the original Pakistan Muslim League which had laid foundation of the state of Pakistan. ... is the 240th day of the year (241st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pakistans Establishment is a term used comonly by Pakistani analysts for the Military dominant oligarchy in pakistan. ... The President of Pakistan is chosen by an electoral college. ... In a parliamentary or semi-presidential system of government, a reserve power is a power that may be exercised by the head of state without the approval of another branch of the government. ... The Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act, 1985 was an amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan passed in 1985. ... The Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1997 was an amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan passed in 1997 by the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. ... The Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 2003 was an amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan passed in December 2003, after over a year of political wrangling between supporters and opponents of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. ... The National Security Council is a consultative body that is chaired by the President of Pakistan. ...

The prime minister is appointed by the members of the National Assembly through a vote. The prime minister is assisted by the Federal Cabinet, a council of ministers whose members are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister. The Federal Cabinet comprises the ministers, ministers of state, and advisers. As of early 1994, there were thirty-three ministerial portfolios: commerce; communications; culture; defense; defense production; education; environment; finance and economic affairs; food and agriculture; foreign affairs; health; housing; information and broadcasting; interior; Kashmiri affairs and Northern Areas; law and justice; local government; minority affairs; narcotics control; parliamentary affairs; petroleum and natural resources production; planning and development; railroads; religious affairs; science and technology; social welfare; special education; sports; state and frontier regions; tourism; water and power; women's development; and youth affairs.

Legislative Branch

The bicameral federal legislature consists of the Senate (upper house) and National Assembly (lower house). According to Article 50 of the Constitution, the National Assembly, the Senate and the President together make up a body known as the Majlis-i-Shoora (Council of Advisers). The Parliament of Pakistan is known as the Majlis-e-Shoora (Council of Advisors). ...

Pakistan's democracy has no recall method. However, past governments have been dismissed for corruption by the President's invocation of Article 58 of the Constitution. The President's power to dismiss the Prime Minister and dissolve the National Assembly was removed by the Thirteenth Amendment and partially restored by the Seventeenth Amendment. A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office. ... The Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1997 was an amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan passed in 1997 by the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. ... The Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 2003 was an amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan passed in December 2003, after over a year of political wrangling between supporters and opponents of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. ...

Parliament House of Pakistan

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1280x853, 53 KB) Summary A Night Shot of the Parliament House, Islamabad. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1280x853, 53 KB) Summary A Night Shot of the Parliament House, Islamabad. ...

Senate

The Senate is a permanent legislative body with equal representation from each of the four provinces, elected by the members of their respective provincial assemblies. There are representatives from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and from Islamabad Capital Territory. The chairman of the Senate, under the constitution, is next in line to act as president should the office become vacant and until such time as a new president can be formally elected. Both the Senate and the National Assembly can initiate and pass legislation except for finance bills. Only the National Assembly can approve the federal budget and all finance bills. In the case of other bills, the president may prevent passage unless the legislature in joint sitting overrules the president by a majority of members of both houses present and voting. Unlike the National Assembly, the Senate cannot be dissolved by the President.

National Assembly

Members of the National Assembly are elected by universal adult suffrage (over twenty-one years of age in Pakistan but seventeenth amendment has changed it now to eighteen years of age.). Seats are allocated to each of the four provinces, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and Islamabad Capital Territory on the basis of population. National Assembly members serve for the parliamentary term, which is five years, unless they die or resign sooner, or unless the National Assembly is dissolved. Although the vast majority of the members are Muslim, about 5 percent of the seats are reserved for minorities, including Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs. Elections for minority seats are held on the basis of separate electorates at the same time as the polls for Muslim seats during the general elections. There are also 50+ special seats for women now, and women are selected (i.e. not directly elected in the general election but given representation according to how their parties performed in the general election) on these seat by their party head: another seventeenth amendment innovation.

Political parties and elections

A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues. ... Political parties in Pakistan lists political parties in Pakistan. ... An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... At the national level, Pakistan elects a bicameral legislature, the Parliament of Pakistan, which consists of a directly-elected National Assembly of Pakistan and a Senate whose members are chosen by elected provincial legislators. ...

Composition of parliament

Judicial branch

The judiciary includes the Supreme Court, provincial high courts, and other lesser courts exercising civil and criminal jurisdiction. The Supreme Court (Urdu: عدالت عظمیٰ ) is the apex court in Pakistans judicial hierarchy, the final arbiter of legal and constitutional disputes. ...

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad

The Supreme Court has original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is appointed by the president; the other Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president after consultation with the chief justice. The chief justice and judges of the Supreme Court may remain in office until age sixty-five: now 68 years and this is also another clause of seventeenth amendment. Image File history File links Supreme_court_of_pakistan. ... Image File history File links Supreme_court_of_pakistan. ...   (Urdu: اسلام آباد) is the capital city of Pakistan, and is located in the Potohar Plateau in the northwest of the country. ... The Chief Justice of Pakistan heads the Supreme Court of Pakistan. ...

Provincial & High Courts

Judges of the provincial high courts are appointed (The seventeenth amendment give these powers to the president, previously Prime minister exercised them) by the president after consultation with the chief justice of the Supreme Court, as well as the governor of the province and the chief justice of the high court to which the appointment is being made. High courts have original and appellate jurisdiction.

There is also a Federal Shariat Court consisting of eight Muslim judges, including a chief justice appointed by the president. Three of the judges are ulama, that is, Islamic Scholars, and are well versed in Islamic law. The Federal Shariat Court has original and appellate jurisdiction. This court decides whether any law is repugnant to the injunctions of Islam. When a law is deemed repugnant to Islam, the president, in the case of a federal law, or the governor, in the case of a provincial law, is charged with taking steps to bring the law into conformity with the injunctions of Islam. The court also hears appeals from decisions of criminal courts under laws relating to the enforcement of hudud (see Glossary) laws that is, laws pertaining to such offenses as intoxication, theft, and unlawful sexual intercourse. Ulema (, transliteration: , singular: , transliteration: , scholar) (The people of Islamic Knowledge) refers to the educated class of Muslim legal scholars engaged in the several fields of Islamic studies. ... This article is about Islamic religious law. ... Hudud ( Arabic , also transliterated hadud, hudood; plural for hadd, , limit, or restriction) is the word often used in Islamic social and legal literature for the bounds of acceptable behaviour and the punishments for serious crimes. ... The following list consists of concepts that are derived from both Islamic and Arab tradition, which are expressed as words in the Arabic language. ...

In addition, there are special courts and tribunals to deal with specific kinds of cases, such as drug courts, commercial courts, labor courts, traffic courts, an insurance appellate tribunal, an income tax appellate tribunal, and special courts for bank offenses. There are also special courts to try terrorists. Appeals from special courts go to high courts except for labor and traffic courts, which have their own forums for appeal. Appeals from the tribunals go to the Supreme Court.

Mohtasib

A further feature of the judicial system is the office of Mohtasib (Ombudsman), which is provided for in the constitution. The office of Mohtasib was established in many early Muslim states to ensure that no wrongs were done to citizens. Appointed by the president, the Mohtasib holds office for four years; the term cannot be extended or renewed. The Mohtasib's purpose is to institutionalize a system for enforcing administrative accountability, through investigating and rectifying any injustice done to a person through maladministration by a federal agency or a federal government official. The Mohtasib is empowered to award compensation to those who have suffered loss or damage as a result of maladministration. Excluded from jurisdiction, however, are personal grievances or service matters of a public servant as well as matters relating to foreign affairs, national defense, and the armed services. This institution is designed to bridge the gap between administrator and citizen, to improve administrative processes and procedures, and to help curb misuse of discretionary powers.

Political background

Pakistan has been ruled by both democratic and military governments.^[1] The first decade was marred with political unrest and instability resulting in frequent collapses of civilian democratic governments. From 1947 to 1958 as many as seven Prime Ministers of Pakistan either resigned or were ousted. This political instability paved the way for Pakistan’s first military take over. On October 7th 1958 Pakistan’s civilian and first President Iskander Mirza in collaboration with General Mohammad Ayub Khan abrogated Pakistan’s constitution and declared Martial Law. Alternative meaning: Prime Minister (band) A prime minister is the leading member of the cabinet of the top level government in a parliamentary system of government of a country, alternatively A prime minister is an official in a presidential system or semi-presidential system whose duty is to execute the... Syed Iskander Ali Mirza or Iskander Mirza (Urdu: اسکندر مرزا) (November 13, 1899 – November 12, 1969) was the first President of Pakistan and held that position from 1956 until 1958. ... Field Marshal Ayub Khan Ayub Khan (May 14, 1907 - April 19, 1974) during the mid-1960s, was a Field Marshal and the political leader of Pakistan. ... For other uses, see Martial law (disambiguation). ...

General Ayub Khan was the president from 1958 to 1969, and General Yahya Khan from 1969 to 1971, with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as the first civilian martial law administrator. Civilian, yet autocratic, rule continued from 1972 to 1977 under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, but he was deposed by General Zia-Ul-Haq. General Zia was killed in a plane crash in 1988, after which Benazir Bhutto, daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was the youngest woman ever to be elected the Head of Government and the first woman to be elected as the Head of Government of a Muslim country. Her government was followed by that of Nawaz Sharif, and the two leaders alternated until the military coup by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999. Since the resignation of President Rafiq Tarar in 2001, Musharraf has been the President of Pakistan. This article is about a Pakistani military officer. ... Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan (February 4, 1917 – August 10, 1980) was the President of Pakistan from 1969 to 1971, following the resignation of Ayub Khan. ... Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Urdu:ذوالفقار علی بھٹو) (January 5, 1928 – April 4, 1979) was a Pakistani politician who served as the President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and as the Prime Minister from 1973 to 1977. ... Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Urdu:ذوالفقار علی بھٹو) (January 5, 1928 – April 4, 1979) was a Pakistani politician who served as the President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and as the Prime Minister from 1973 to 1977. ... General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (Urdu: ) (b. ... Benazir Bhutto (Urdu: بینظیر بھٹو, IPA: ; Sindhi:بینظیر ڀُٽو ) (born 21 June 1953 in Karachi) is a Pakistani politician who became the first elected woman to lead a post-colonial Muslim state. ... The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: وزیر اعظم Wazir-e- Azam) is the Head of Government of Pakistan. ... The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ... Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif (Urdu: میاں محمد نواز شریف ) (born December 25, 1949 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan) is a Pakistani politician. ... In October 1999, General Pervez Musharraf, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan army launched a coup to topple Nawaz Sharif, then Prime Minister of Pakistan. ... General Pervez Musharraf (Urdu: ) (born August 11, 1943) serves as President of Pakistan and the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. ... The President of Pakistan (Urdū: صدر مملکت Sadr-e-Mamlikat) is Head of State of Pakistan. ... Muhammad Rafiq Tarar (b. ...

Nation-wide parliamentary elections were held in October 2002, with the PML-Q winning a plurality of seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan, and Zafarullah Khan Jamali of that party emerging as Prime Minister. Jamali resigned on June 26, 2004. PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain became interim PM, and was succeeded by Finance Minister and former Citibank Vice President Shaukat Aziz, who was elected Prime Minister on August 27, 2004 by a National Assembly vote of 191 to 151. The Pakistan Muslim League (Q), or PML-Q, is a centrist political party in Pakistan, dervied from the original Pakistan Muslim League which had laid foundation of the state of Pakistan. ... For the use of the term in political theory, see Pluralism (political theory). ... The National Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan. ... Zafarullah Khan Jamali Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali (Urdu: میر ظفراللہ خان جمالی) (born January 1, 1944) is a former Prime Minister of Pakistan. ... The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: وزیر اعظم Wazir-e- Azam) is the Head of Government of Pakistan. ... Muhammed Ali Jinnah, the Great Leader of the Muslim League The All India Muslim League was a political party in British India and was the driving force behind the creation of Pakistan as a Muslim state from British India on the Indian subcontinent. ... Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain; former Prime Minister of Pakistan Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain (born 1946) is a politician from Pakistan who was the Prime Minister of that country from June 30, 2004 until August 28, 2004. ... The Finance Minister of Pakistan heads the Ministry of Finance. ... Citibank is a major international bank, founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York. ... Shaukat Aziz (Urdu:: شوکت عزیز) (born March 6, 1949 in Karachi, Pakistan) is the current Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Pakistan. ...

The Pakistan's federal cabinet on April 12, 2006 decided that general elections would be held after the completion of the assemblies constitutional term by the end of 2007 or beginning of 2008. [1] Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Form of Government

Officially a federal republic, Pakistan has had a long history of alternating periods of electoral democracy and authoritarian military government. Military presidents include General Ayub Khan in the 1960s, General Zia ul Haq in the 1980s, and General Pervez Musharraf from 1999. However, a majority of Pakistan's Heads of State and Heads of Government have been elected civilian leaders. General elections were held in October 2002. After monitoring the elections, the Commonwealth Observer Group stated in conclusion: Look up republic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The term authoritarian is used to describe an organization or a state which enforces strong and sometimes oppressive measures against the population, generally without attempts at gaining the consent of the population. ... The President of Pakistan (Urdū: صدر مملکت Sadr-e-Mamlikat) is Head of State of Pakistan. ... This article is about a Pakistani military officer. ... For the comedy film of the same name, see Head of State (film). ... The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ...

We believe that on election day this was a credible election: the will of the people was expressed and the results reflected their wishes. However, in the context of various measures taken by the government we are not persuaded of the overall fairness of the process as a whole [2]

On May 22, 2004, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group re-admitted Pakistan into the Commonwealth, formally acknowledging its progress in returning to democracy. is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2006 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Don McKinnon (since 1 April 2000) Establishment  -  Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926   -  Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931   -  London Declaration 28 April 1949  Area  -  Total...

Provincial Governments

The subdivisions of Pakistan

Pakistan is subdivided into 4 provinces, 1 territory, and 1 capital territory. Each province has a Provincial Assembly, a directly-elected legislature. Members are elected for five-year terms. Each Assembly elects a Chief Minister, who then selects the ministers of his or her cabinet. Image File history File links Subdivisions_of_Pakistan_Map. ... Image File history File links Subdivisions_of_Pakistan_Map. ...

• Balochistan
• Federally Administered Tribal Areas*
• Islamabad Capital Territory**
• North-West Frontier Province
• Punjab
• Sindh

• Note; the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas.

See also: Government of Pakistan

The province of Balochistan (or Baluchistan) of Pakistan contains roughly the part of Balochistan that falls within the borders of present-day Pakistan. ... Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are areas of Pakistan outside any of the four provinces, comprising a region of some 27,220 km² (10,507 mi²). Neighbouring regions are: Afghanistan to the west with the border marked by the Durand Line, the North-West Frontier to the north, the Punjab... For the capital of Pakistan, see Islamabad. ... North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) is geographically the smallest of the four provinces of Pakistan. ... The Punjab/ پنجاب province of Pakistan is part of the larger Punjab region. ... Sindh (SindhÄ«: سنڌ, UrdÅ«: سندھ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhis. ... This article is about the area administered by India. ... This article details only the area administered by Pakistan. ... The Northern Areas (Urdu: شمالی علاقے ) or Gilgit-Baltistan is the northernmost region of Pakistani-administered Kashmir. ... Government of Pakistan (Urdu: حکومتِ پاکستان)The Constitution of Pakistan provides for a Federal Parliamentary System of government, with a President as the Head of State and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the chief executive. ...

Local Governments

Pakistan's provinces are divided into zillas ( counterpart to a county in US or UK terminology). A zilla is further subdivided into tehsils (roughly equivalent to a borough in an integrated multi-tier (federated) systemic context, such as the one to be found in Montreal (Canada, 2002) and Birmingham (UK, 2001 announcement) or known as arondissements in French context. Tehsils may contain villages or municipalities. Pakistan's system is the one that applies an integrated federated systemic framework most comprehensively, so far.

This methodology is not new to the region, as it is similar to what is referred to as the Panchayat Raj system in India that was introduced by Britain (which was first nation (1890s) to adapt revolutionary Paris (1790) framework to implement a 3-tier rural version (county, district, parish councils) by grafting the 2-tier Paris framework on pre-existing parish councils and urban context (London)) during colonial era. In India it was implemented in some regions and not others; and then allowed to lie fallow. It got new life after the very successful West Bengal revival in the 1970s, which eventually inspired the 1990s Constitutional Amendment making it national policy.

The main difference is that Pakistan is the only country with an urban framework, as well, in the region today; and Pakistan's system has common-representational framework between tiers (as Montreal and Birmingham also have in 2-tier context--even though Birmingham is working on implementing a 3- tier system); and, it has a bottom-up representational framework like the Canadian example. Pakistan had the only 3-tier integrated bottom-up common-representational local government system, until it was adapted for another country in 2003. UK, the country which first introduced this methodology in the region, also has the urban examples of London and Birmingham (being implemented in Post- 2001 era by building on steps first introduced in 1980s); as does France (where largest cities and smaller units have created such frameworks either by devolution (Marseilles and Lyon, in addition to Paris) or by integration of neighboring units (such as the Nantes region pursuant to the Marcellin Act of 1970s); and, Canada.

This methodology is being increasingly adapted, as it delivers greater systemic productivity, being a more inclusive framework that provides greater regional integration. In the US, the 7 county Twin Cities (MN) regional system and Portland (OR) Metro are both the most integrated US examples;but, also those often cited in the US for what they have achieved. These US examples- with their multi-county framework- are similar to what is in place in France after regional unit introduction (making France have a 3-tier systemic framework also in the Commune (municipal/lowest tier local unit), Department(county), Regional unit context). Multi-county frameworks are suitable for a very surburbanized system like the US. After France and Britain, the Indian colony of Britain was the third region to see this methodology implemented.

There are over five thousand local governments in Pakistan. Since 2001, the vast majority of these have been led by democratically elected local councils, each headed by a Nazim (mayor or supervisor.) Council elections are held every four years.

Foreign relations

The Map of Pakistan

Pakistan is the second largest Muslim country in terms of population, and its status as a declared nuclear power, being the only Muslim nation to have that status, plays a part in its international role. It is also an active member of the United Nations. Historically, its foreign policy has encompassed difficult relations with India, a desire for a stable Afghanistan, long-standing close relations with the People's Republic of China, extensive security and economic interests in the Persian Gulf and wide-ranging bilateral relations with the United States and other Western countries. Pakistan is also an important member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Pakistan has used the OIC as a forum for Enlightened Moderation^[2], its plan to promote a renaissance and enlightenment in the Islamic world. Image File history File links Pk-map. ... Image File history File links Pk-map. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... There are currently five states considered to be nuclear weapons states, an internationally recognized status conferred by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). ... UN and U.N. redirect here. ... Map of the Persian Gulf. ... The flag of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is an inter-governmental organization with a Permanent Delegation to the United Nations. ... This article is about the European Renaissance of the 14th-17th centuries. ... The Enlightenment (French: ; German: ; Italian: ; Portuguese: ) was an eighteenth century movement in European and American philosophy — some classifications also include 17th century philosophy (usually called the Age of Reason). ...

Wary of Soviet expansion, Pakistan had strong relations with both the United States of America and the People's Republic of China during much of the Cold War. It was a member of the CENTO and SEATO military alliances. Its alliance with the United States was especially close after the Soviets invaded the neighboring country of Afghanistan). CCCP redirects here. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... The Central Treaty Organization (also referred to as CENTO, the successor to the Middle East Treaty Organization or METO, also known as the Baghdad Pact) was adopted in 1955 by Iraq, Turkey, Iran, as well as United States chose not to initially participate as to avoid alienating Arab states with... External links kamouflage. ... A Soviet soldier on guard in Afghanistan in 1988. ...

In 1964, Pakistan signed the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) Pact with Turkey and Iran, when all three countries were closely allied with the U.S., and as neighbors of the Soviet Union, wary of perceived Soviet expansionism. To this day, Pakistan has a close relationship with Turkey. RCD became defunct after the Iranian Revolution, and a Pakistani-Turkish initiative led to the founding of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) in 1985. Pakistan's relations with India have improved recently and this has opened up Pakistan's foreign policy to issues beyond security. This development might completely change the complexion of Pakistan's foreign relations. Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) was a multi governmental organization which was originally established in 1962 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey to allow socio-economic development of the member states. ... The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) involves ten Asian nations. ...

Pakistan joined the Non-Aligned Movement in 1979.^[3] Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (2005). ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ...

Pakistani cuisine is a distinct blend of foods similar to those found in the cuisine of India and those found in Afghanistan and Iran, with strong culinary influences from the Middle East. ... The 17th Century Badshahi Mosque built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Lahore The society of Pakistan (Urdu: ثقافت پاکستان), although relatively diverse depending on which one of Pakistans provinces, has been greatly influenced by the cultures of Central Asia and the Middle East. ... Demographics of Pakistan, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with List of Pakistani television stations. ... The national flag of Pakistan was designed by Syed Amir-ud-Din Kedwai based on the 1906 flag of the All-India Muslim League. ... Pakistan is the second largest Muslim country in terms of population (behind Indonesia), and its status as a declared nuclear power, being the only Islamic nation to have that status, plays a part in its international role. ... A relief map of Pakistan showing historic sites. ... Holidays in Pakistan: Category: ... The music of Pakistan is probably one of the most diverse selection of music in the whole world within one country; being at the crossroads of Central Asia, Iran, the Middle East and India. ...

References

External links

• Pakistan Newsroom - Most upto dated news and events from Pakistan in best video quality on the net.
• PakistanPolitics.net - Pro-democracy commentary and news about Pakistan.
• Pakistan Politics - Live Coverage of Political Events and all Political Talk Shows
• Pakistani Politics Blog - Latest news and TV Shows
• Government of Pakistan website
• The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
• Expert essay suggesting the loss of faith in democracy in Pakistan by Professor Adil Najam of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University published in Pakistan's leading English Daily The News International.