Lesson 2/34 min
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet
The Prime Minister
- Chief executive and head of government; head of the Cabinet; usually Leader of the House
- Appointed by the President: the MP who commands the support of a majority of members (Article 56(3))
- Must be an MP, so the minimum age is 25 (Article 66(1))
- A resignation goes to the President
- The President administers the oath
Watch out: Khandokar's book prints Article 52(2) for appointing the Prime Minister; Zubair's prints 56(3). Under the Constitution 56(3) is right; Article 52 is about impeaching the President.
The Cabinet (Articles 55–56)
- The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister and is collectively responsible to Parliament (Article 55)
- Ministers, ministers of state and deputy ministers are appointed by the President (Article 56(2))
- At least nine-tenths of ministers are MPs; at most one-tenth (10%) may come from outside, if qualified to be MPs (technocrat ministers)
- A money bill cannot be introduced in Parliament without the President's recommendation
Order of precedence: the first three
| Rank | Office |
|---|---|
| 1 | President |
| 2 | Prime Minister |
| 3 | Speaker |
Watch out: The Cabinet was reshuffled in 2026 (new ministers were sworn in on 21 August 2026). Portfolios keep changing, so no minister's name or ministry is given here.
Check yourself
What is the largest share of ministers who may come from outside Parliament?
At a glance
- 1
The President appoints the Prime Minister, Article 56(3); a resignation goes to the President.
- 2
The Prime Minister must be an MP; the minimum age is 25.
- 3
The Cabinet is collectively responsible to Parliament; the Prime Minister is the chief executive.
- 4
At most 10% of ministers may come from outside Parliament (technocrats).
- 5
In precedence the President is first, the Prime Minister second, the Speaker third.