Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan

Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan

Flag of the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan
Incumbent
Vacant
since 25 June 2012–16 March 2013[1]
Style His Excellency
Appointer National Assembly of Pakistan
Term length Five years; expires with the dissolution of the National Assembly
Inaugural holder Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi
Formation 25 June 2012 (2012-06-25)
Website Government of Pakistan
Pakistan
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Pakistan
Constitution

The office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: نائب وزيراعظم پاكستان‎) was created by the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 25 June 2012. The main coalition party, Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q), demanded to make a post of Deputy Prime Minister which was accomplished by the newly elected Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.[2][3] The main purpose of the post was to give a backup to the government in the absence of the Prime Minister.[3] As a result of an agreement between the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the PML-Q to share ministries in the federal cabinet,[4] Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was made the first Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan.[2][5][6][7]

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.[3] 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".[1][2] 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.[1]

Inaugural Office

On 25 June 2012, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi was appointed as the first Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan.[4][5][6][7][8][9] 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.[1][2] The notification described that Elahi's appointment was carried out on immediate basis and will be valid until a new order is issued.[8] The notification further stated that “Elahi will not possess the powers of the prime minister.”[2]

Judiciary issues

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 Constitution of Pakistan and insisted the court to dismiss the post.[10] 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."[11][12][13] A petition was also filed in the Sindh High Court which was rejected by the court.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "It's official: Pakistan gets a deputy prime minister". Express Tribune. Express News. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "PML-Q's demands fulfilled; Elahi made Deputy PM, 15 ministries granted". The Dawn. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Hussain, Kashif (27 June 2012). "Legal Govt planning to give cover to deputy p.m. post". Daily Times. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  4. 1 2 Anjum, Shakeel (25 June 2012). "Chaudhry Pervez Elahi new deputy prioritizes to minister". Express Tribune. Express News. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Pak gets Dy Prime Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi". MSN. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Elahi becomes Pak Deputy Prime Minister". The Hindu. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  7. 1 2 H Laskar, Rezaul (26 June 2012). "Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is Pakistan's new deputy Prime Minister". DNA India. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  8. 1 2 "Pakistan gets deputy prioritizes to minister". The Times of India. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "Ch Pervez Elahi appointed Deputy PM". The News International. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Deputy prioritizes to minister post challenged in Supreme Court". Express Tribune. Express News. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "Deputy prime minister's appointment challenged in LHC". The Dawn. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Deputy p.m.' s appointment challenged in LHC". The Nation. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "Appointment of Deputy Prime Minister challenged in LHC". GEO News. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  14. ↑ "Plea challenging deputy p.m. post rejected". Pakistan Today. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
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