Governor-General of Pakistan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor-General of Pakistan |
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Coat of arms of Pakistan
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| 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 person who represented the King or Queen of Pakistan. This job was created when Pakistan became independent in 1947. The Governor-General acted on behalf of the monarch in Pakistan. This important role ended in 1956 when Pakistan became an Islamic republic, which means it became a country with its own elected president, not a monarch.
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Understanding the Governor-General's Role
Pakistan was once part of the Commonwealth of Nations. This meant Pakistan shared the same King or Queen as its head of state. The King or Queen lived far away, so they needed someone to represent them in Pakistan. This person was the Governor-General. The King or Queen chose the Governor-General based on advice from the Pakistani government.
Powers of the Governor-General
The Parliament of Pakistan was made up of the Pakistani monarch and the Federal Legislature. All the main powers of Pakistan belonged to the King or Queen. However, the Governor-General used these powers for them.
All new laws in Pakistan needed the King or Queen's approval. The Governor-General gave this approval on their behalf. The Governor-General was also in charge of starting, pausing, and ending the meetings of the Federal Legislature. They also chose and appointed the government ministers. They could also remove these ministers if needed. All ministers worked under the Governor-General's authority.
The Governor-General of Pakistan could not be taken to court in Pakistan for anything they did while in office. A writer named Akhilesh Pillalamarri once said that during the time of Elizabeth II, who was Queen of Pakistan, her Governors-General were like presidents in all but name.
Taking the Oath of Office
Before starting their job, the Governor-General of Pakistan had to take a special promise. This promise was called an oath. It showed their loyalty to the Constitution of Pakistan and to the Pakistani monarch.
First Governor-General's Oath
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was the first Governor-General, took this oath. It showed his commitment to his new role.
"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."
List of Pakistan's 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) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||
| 1 |  |
Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876–1948) |
14 August 1947 |
11 September 1948 |
1 year, 28 days | .jpg){kind=small} George VI (1947–1952) |
| 2 |  |
Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin (1894–1964) |
14 September 1948 |
17 October 1951 |
3 years, 33 days | |
| 3 |  |
Sir Ghulam Muhammad (1895–1956) |
17 October 1951 |
7 August 1955 |
3 years, 294 days | |
_(cropped)_(3-to-4_aspect_ratio).jpg){kind=small} Elizabeth II (1952–1956) |
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| 4 |  |
Iskander Mirza (1899–1969) |
7 August 1955 |
23 March 1956 |
229 days | |
Flag of the Governor-General
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Flag used from 1947 to 1953
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Flag used from 1953 to 1956
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See also
