Government of Pakistan facts for kids

The Government of Pakistan (Urdu: حکومتِ پاکستان) is how the country of Pakistan is run. It uses a special way of governing called a federal parliamentary system. In this system, there is a President who is the Head of State, like a symbolic leader. There is also a Prime Minister who is the Head of Government. The Prime Minister is chosen by the elected representatives and leads the country's daily activities.

Understanding Pakistan's Government

Pakistan is a country in South Asia. Its government works to make laws, keep order, and provide services for its people. The way Pakistan's government is set up helps make sure that different parts of the country have a say in how things are run. This system is designed to represent the people and their needs.

What is a Federal Parliamentary System?

A federal parliamentary system has two main parts. First, "federal" means that power is shared. There is a strong central government, but also smaller governments in different regions or provinces. This helps manage a large country like Pakistan. Each province can make some decisions for itself.

Second, "parliamentary" means that the government is led by a group of elected representatives called a parliament. In Pakistan, this parliament is called the Majlis-e-Shoora. The Prime Minister and their team are chosen from this parliament. They are responsible to the parliament and the people.

Who Leads the Country?

Pakistan has two very important leaders: the President and the Prime Minister.

The President: Head of State

The President of Pakistan is the Head of State. This role is mostly ceremonial. It means the President represents the country on important occasions. They are a symbol of national unity. The President is not directly elected by the people. Instead, they are chosen by an electoral college. This group includes members of the national and provincial assemblies.

The Prime Minister: Head of Government

The Prime Minister is the Head of Government. This is a very powerful position. The Prime Minister is responsible for running the country day-to-day. They lead the cabinet, which is a group of ministers who manage different government departments. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the political party that wins the most seats in the general election. They are chosen by the members of the National Assembly.

How Laws Are Made

Making laws is a key job of any government. In Pakistan, laws are made by the Parliament, also known as the Majlis-e-Shoora. The Parliament has two main parts:

The National Assembly

The National Assembly is the lower house of Parliament. Its members are directly elected by the people of Pakistan. This means citizens vote for who they want to represent them. The National Assembly is where most laws are proposed and debated.

The Senate

The Senate is the upper house of Parliament. Its members are elected by the provincial assemblies. The Senate represents the provinces equally. It reviews laws passed by the National Assembly. This ensures that laws are fair for all parts of Pakistan. For a law to be passed, it usually needs approval from both the National Assembly and the Senate.

Important Parts of the Government

The Government of Pakistan is divided into three main branches. This helps keep power balanced and prevents any one part from becoming too strong.

The Executive Branch

This branch carries out the laws. It includes the Prime Minister, the cabinet, and various government ministries and departments. They are responsible for things like defense, education, health, and foreign policy.

The Legislative Branch

This branch makes the laws. It is the Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora), which includes the National Assembly and the Senate. Their job is to create new laws and update old ones.

The Judicial Branch

This branch interprets the laws. It includes the courts, from local courts to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The judiciary makes sure that laws are applied fairly. They also protect the rights of citizens. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country.

How Citizens Participate

Citizens play a very important role in Pakistan's government. They participate mainly through elections.

Elections and Voting

Every few years, general elections are held in Pakistan. Citizens who are 18 years old or older have the right to vote. They vote for members of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies. These elected representatives then choose the Prime Minister. Voting is a way for people to choose who they want to lead their country and make decisions for them.

Political Parties

Many different political parties exist in Pakistan. Each party has its own ideas about how the country should be run. During elections, these parties present their plans to the public. People vote for the party and candidates they believe will best serve their interests.