The deputy prime minister of Pakistan, officially the deputy prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Urdu: نائب وزيراعظم پاكستان romanized: Nāib Wazīr ē Aʿẓam Pākistān lit. 'Vice Grand Vizier of Pakistan') is the second most senior minister of the Government of Pakistan.[1][2] The main purpose of the post was to give a backup to the government in the absence of the Prime Minister.[2] As a result of an agreement between the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the PML-Q to share ministries in the federal cabinet,[3] Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was made the first deputy prime minister of Pakistan.[1][4][5][6] From 2013-2024 the office remained vacant until Shehbaz Sharif appointed Ishaq Dar to Deputy Prime Minister as an additional charge to Dar's portfolio of Foreign Minister.[7][8]
| Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan | |
|---|---|
| نائب وزيراعظم پاكستان | |
 | |
 Flag of the deputy prime minister of Pakistan | |
 | |
| Style | His Excellency |
| Reports to | Prime Minister of Pakistan |
| Appointer | National Assembly of Pakistan |
| Term length | Five years; expires with the dissolution of the National Assembly |
| Inaugural holder | Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto |
| Formation | 7 December 1971 |
| Website | Government of Pakistan |
Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan
edit| No. | Portrait | Name
(Birth–Death) |
Took office | Left office | Political party
(Alliance) |
Remarks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deputy Prime Minister | ||||||||
| 1 | 
|
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1928–1979) |
7 December 1971 | 20 December 1971 | Pakistan People's Party | Status of first Deputy Prime minister of Pakistan[9] | ||
| Senior Minister | ||||||||
| 1 | 
|
Begum Nusrat Bhutto (1929–2011) |
31 March 1989 | 6 August 1990 | Pakistan People's Party | First female Senior Minister of Pakistan | ||
| 2 | Rao Sikandar Iqbal (1943–2010) |
23 November 2002 | 15 November 2007 | Pakistan People's Party (P) | ||||
| 3 | 
|
Nisar Ali Khan (born 1954) |
31 March 2008 | 13 May 2008 | Pakistan Muslim League (N) | |||
| Deputy Prime Minister | ||||||||
| 2 | 
|
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi (born 1945) |
25 June 2012 | 16 March 2013 | Pakistan Muslim League (Q) | Following negotiations between the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Elahi became Deputy prime minister while 15 other members of PML(Q) were included in the Federal Cabinet. Also described as the "first" Deputy minister.[10][11] | ||
| 3 |
|
Muhammad Ishaq Dar (born 1950) |
28 April 2024 | Incumbent | Pakistan Muslim League (N) | On April 28, Shehbaz Sharif appointed Ishaq Dar as the first Deputy Prime Minister since Pervaiz Elahi, Dar continues to hold portfolio as Foreign Minister.[7] | ||
History
editNusrat Bhutto served as Senior Federal Minister of the Cabinet in her daughter's government. She is often described as deputy prime minister.[12] Before that Z.A. Bhutto served as the first deputy prime minister of Pakistan in Nurul Amin's regime.
On 25 June 2012, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi was appointed as the deputy prime minister of Pakistan.[3][4][5][6][13][14] He also holds different offices in the federal cabinet. The post, for which there is nonconstitutional provision, was a result of the agreement between the Government and PML-Q leadership.[15][1] The notification described that Elahi's appointment was carried out on immediate basis and will be valid until a new order is issued.[13] The notification further stated that "Elahi will not possess the powers of the prime minister".[1] Following negotiations between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q), Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and 15 members of his party were inducted into the Federal Cabinet.[16]
On April 28, 2024, Shehbaz Sharif through a notification issued by the Cabinet Division appointed Ishaq Dar as Deputy Prime Minister.[7]
Powers and responsibilities
editThe post is symbolic, non-constitutional and without specific authorities, created only to ceremonially protect the space of the prime minister in his/her absence.[2] The post does not carry particular responsibilities, although it is granted oversight over a number of ministries in the cabinet and the deputy prime minister works in his/her capacity as a "Senior federal minister".[15][1] Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had worked as a Senior minister in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, another post without any reasonable powers. Previously, the Senior minister post was occupied by Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, in the governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, respectively.[15] Due to the ambiguity of any constitutional definition of Ishaq Dar's role as Deputy Prime Minister, his current duties and authorities are uncertain in the office.[17]
Judiciary issues
editOn 28 June 2012, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the validity of the post. The petitioner told the court there is no space for any such position in the Constitution of Pakistan and insisted the court to dismiss the post.[18] The post was also challenged in the Lahore High Court under the violation to the article 91 of the constitution. The petitioner appealed the court that "this appointment was ill-intended and should be declared void."[19][20][21] A petition was also filed in the Sindh High Court which was rejected by the court.[22]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "PML-Q's demands fulfilled; Elahi made Deputy PM, 15 ministries granted". The Dawn. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ a b c Hussain, Kashif (27 June 2012). "Legal Govt planning to give cover to deputy p.m. post". Daily Times. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ a b Anjum, Shakeel (25 June 2012). "Chaudhry Pervez Elahi new deputy prioritizes to minister". The Express Tribune. Express News. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Pak gets Dy Prime Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi". MSN. 25 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Elahi becomes Pak Deputy Prime Minister". The Hindu. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ a b H Laskar, Rezaul (26 June 2012). "Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is Pakistan's new deputy Prime Minister". DNA India. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ a b c Guramani, Nadir (28 April 2024). "Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar appointed deputy prime minister". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar appointed as Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan". Brecorder. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ McFadden, Robert D. (19 December 1971). "Bhutto Considered Tough And Politically Ambitious". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "PML-Q's demands fulfilled; Elahi made Deputy PM, 15 ministries granted". DAWN.COM. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "The pragmatist Chaudhry | Special Report | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar appointed Pakistan's deputy prime minister". The Nation. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Pakistan gets deputy prioritizes to minister". The Times of India. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ "Ch Pervez Elahi appointed Deputy PM". The News International. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ a b c "It's official: Pakistan gets a deputy prime minister". The Express Tribune. Express News. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ "PML-Q's demands fulfilled; Elahi made Deputy PM, 15 ministries granted". DAWN.COM. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ https://mmnews.tv/what-powers-does-deputy-prime-minister-ishaq-dar-have/ [bare URL]
- ^ "Deputy prioritizes to minister post challenged in Supreme Court". The Express Tribune. Express News. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ "Deputy prime minister's appointment challenged in LHC". The Dawn. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ "Deputy p.m.' s appointment challenged in LHC". The Nation. 28 June 2012. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ "Appointment of Deputy Prime Minister challenged in LHC". GEO News. 28 June 2012. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ "Plea challenging deputy p.m. post rejected". Pakistan Today. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.