Prime Minister

The prime minister of Pakistan is the head of government. Since the 18th constitutional amendment of 2010, the prime minister has become the centre of executive power in government. The primary power of the prime minister is the right to advise the president on the appointment of the cabinet, the main executive body of government. Other powers include the right to appoint diplomats, judges of supreme courts and high courts, and various top-ranking civil servants.

The president selects the prime minister from the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. This selection is based on who commands the confidence of parliament, which is usually the head of the majority party in parliament. The tenure of the prime minister is for five years.