Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan

Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan

History

Nusrat Bhutto served as Senior Federal Minister of the Cabinet in her daughter's government. She is often described as deputy prime minister. 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. He also held different offices in the federal cabinet. The post, for which there is no constitutional provision, was a result of the agreement between the government and PML-Q leadership. The notification described that Elahi's appointment was carried out on immediate basis and will be valid until a new order is issued. The notification further stated that "Elahi will not possess the powers of the prime minister". 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.

On April 28, 2024, Shehbaz Sharif through a notification issued by the Cabinet Division appointed Ishaq Dar as Deputy Prime Minister.

Powers and responsibilities

The post is symbolic, non-constitutional and without specific authorities, created only to ceremonially protect the space of the prime minister in his/her absence. 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". 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. 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.

2012 Constitutional petition

On 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. 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." A petition was also filed in the Sindh High Court which was rejected by the court.

References

References

1. (25 June 2012). "PML-Q's demands fulfilled; Elahi made Deputy PM, 15 ministries granted". [[Dawn (newspaper).
2. Hussain, Kashif. (27 June 2012). "Legal Govt planning to give cover to deputy p.m. post". [[Daily Times (Pakistan).
3. Anjum, Shakeel. (25 June 2012). "Chaudhry Pervez Elahi new deputy prime minister". Express News.
4. Guramani, Nadir. (2024-04-28). "Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar appointed deputy prime minister".
5. (2024-04-28). "Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar appointed as Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan".
6. McFadden, Robert D.. (1971-12-19). "Bhutto Considered Tough And Politically Ambitious". The New York Times.
7. (2012-06-25). "PML-Q's demands fulfilled; Elahi made Deputy PM, 15 ministries granted".
8. "The pragmatist Chaudhry {{!}} Special Report {{!}} thenews.com.pk".
9. (2024-04-28). "Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar appointed Pakistan's deputy prime minister".
10. (26 June 2012). "Elahi becomes Pak Deputy Prime Minister". [[The Hindu]].
11. (25 June 2012). "Ch Pervez Elahi appointed Deputy PM". [[The News International]].
12. (25 June 2012). "Pakistan gets deputy prioritizes to minister". [[The Times of India]].
13. (25 June 2012). "It's official: Pakistan gets a deputy prime minister". [[Express News (Pakistan).
14. (29 April 2024). "What powers does Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar have?".
15. (28 June 2012). "Deputy prioritizes to minister post challenged in Supreme Court". [[Express News (Pakistan).
16. (28 June 2012). "Deputy prime minister's appointment challenged in LHC". [[Dawn (newspaper).
17. (28 June 2012). "Deputy p.m.' s appointment challenged in LHC". [[The Nation (Pakistani newspaper).
18. (28 June 2012). "Appointment of Deputy Prime Minister challenged in LHC". [[GEO News]].
19. (3 July 2012). "Plea challenging deputy p.m. post rejected". [[Pakistan Today]].