Session 10- Presidential and Parliamentary system for Pakistan

The dynamics of executive power can be examined more closely by looking at the roles of presidents, prime ministers and cabinets. Pakistan has been though both presidential and parliamentary form of government. In presidential form of government, the President of the state has all the authority. While in parliamentary form of government, prime minister who is an elected member from the assembly by the, so called, representative of people is the main executive and president acts only as ceremonial executive.

Pakistan is currently being governed by a parliament government in which Prime Minister is an elected member of the assembly. And all the executive power resides within the prime minister. Elections in Pakistan are allegedly rigged and have always been criticized to be. This means that majority of the representatives of people i.e the members of assembly are not deserved. Consequently, the prime minister is elected by the people who are not true representatives of people but are the ones who work for their party interests. Hence the executive of the country is unlawful. Then how can we rely on the decisions he make? How can we say that he is justly a representative of the country and he will only work for the interest of the nation?

As far as presidential system is considered, recently, following the 2008 elections Asif Ali Zardari by amending the constitution made gave president more power hence making prime minister powerless. This means that vote of the majority was given no power. This gives the impression that despite the voting system, the public is being made to play simply, a game of cards.