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Governor-General of Pakistan facts for kids

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Governor-General of Pakistan
Coat of arms of Pakistan.svg
Coat of arms of Pakistan
Malik Muhammad.jpg
Longest serving
Sir Ghulam Muhammad

17 October 1951 – 7 August 1955
Style His Excellency
Residence Governor-General's House
Appointer Monarch of Pakistan
Formation 14 August 1947
First holder Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Final holder Iskander Mirza
Abolished 23 March 1956

The Governor-General of Pakistan was a very important official. This person acted as the representative of the King or Queen of Pakistan. The role was created when Pakistan became an independent country in 1947. This happened because of the Indian Independence Act 1947. The office of Governor-General was ended in 1956. This was when Pakistan became an Islamic Republic and no longer had a monarch.

How the Governor-General Worked

Muhammad Ali Jinnah sitting on the Chair of Governer General wearing a Sherwani
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan's first Governor-General, doing his official duties.

When Pakistan first became independent, it was part of a group of countries called the Commonwealth of Nations. These countries shared the same King or Queen as their head of state. The Governor-General was the King or Queen's representative in Pakistan. The King or Queen chose the Governor-General based on advice from the Pakistani government.

The King or Queen and Pakistan's Parliament (called the Federal Legislature) worked together to make laws. The King or Queen held all the main powers to run the country. For any law to become official in Pakistan, it needed the King or Queen's approval, called "royal assent." The Governor-General gave this approval for the King or Queen.

The Governor-General also had the power to start, pause, or end meetings of the Parliament. They also chose and appointed the Council of Ministers, who were like the government's cabinet. The Governor-General could also dismiss these ministers if they wished. All Pakistani ministers held their jobs as long as the Governor-General allowed. The Governor-General of Pakistan could not be taken to court in Pakistan.

Akhilesh Pillalamarri, writing for The Diplomat magazine, said that during the time of Elizabeth II, Queen of Pakistan, "her governors-general were presidents of Pakistan in all but name." This means they had a lot of power, similar to a president.

Taking the Oath

Before starting their job, the Governor-General of Pakistan had to take an oath. This oath showed their loyalty to the Constitution of Pakistan and to the Pakistani monarch. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the first Governor-General, took this oath:

"I, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, do solemnly affirm true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of Pakistan as by law established and that I will be faithful to His Majesty King George VI, in the office of Governor General of Pakistan."

Who Were the Governors-General?

Here is a list of the people who served as Governor-General of Pakistan:

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Monarch
(Reign)
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Jinnah1945c.jpg Muhammad Ali Jinnah
(1876–1948)
14 August
1947
11 September
1948
1 year, 28 days King George VI LOC matpc.14736 (cleaned).jpg
George VI
(1947–1952)
Office vacant (11 September 1948 – 14 September 1948)
2 Khawaja Nazimuddin.jpg Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin
(1894–1964)
14 September
1948
17 October
1951
3 years, 33 days
3 Malik Muhammad.jpg Sir Ghulam Muhammad
(1895–1956)
17 October
1951
7 August
1955
3 years, 294 days
Queen Elizabeth II official portrait for 1959 tour (retouched) (cropped) (3-to-4 aspect ratio).jpg
Elizabeth II
(1952–1956)
4 Iskander Mirza.jpg Iskander Mirza
(1899–1969)
7 August
1955
23 March
1956
229 days

Flags of the Governor-General

See Also

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