Politics Ledger · Asia-Pacific
Pakistan
Electoral autocracyParliamentary republicFederal
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In charge
Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister
Time in power
2.7 yrs
since 2024
Government seats
68%
majority
Next national vote
2029-02
General
Governance score
22/100
composite of five indices
Created as a homeland for South Asia's Muslims, Pakistan has spent roughly half its history under direct military rule, and the army remains the dominant arbiter of civilian politics.
Leadership
Who Governs Pakistan
Head of state
Asif Ali Zardari
President · PPP
Since 10 March 2024 · 2.6 years
Age 71 (born 1955)ManRoute to power: elected by parliament
Head of government
Holds executive powerShehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister · PML-N
Since 4 March 2024 · 2.7 years
Age 75 (born 1951)ManRoute to power: elected by parliament
Ruling coalition
PML-N, PPP, MQM-P and smaller allies
Main opposition
PTI-backed members (Imran Khan, jailed since 2023), which governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Last national election
8 February 2024
General
PTI-backed independents won the most seats despite a crackdown; PML-N and PPP formed the government amid rigging allegations.
Next national election
By February 2029
General
The 27th Amendment (2025) created a Chief of Defence Forces post held by Field Marshal Asim Munir, formalising military primacy.
Parliament
National Assembly
Seat distribution (Approximate standing, 2026), ordered from economic left to right.
| Party | Ideology | Seats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) | Conservatism | 125 | governing |
| PTI-backed members (Sunni Ittehad Council) (PTI) | Populism, Islamic welfare state | 80 | opposition |
| Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) | Social democracy | 74 | coalition |
| MQM-Pakistan (MQM) | Muhajir interests | 22 | coalition |
| Others (OTH) | Various | 16 | opposition |
| Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F) | Deobandi Islamism | 10 | opposition |
| Smaller allies (PML-Q, IPP) (ALL) | Various | 9 | coalition |
Ideology
Party Landscape
Each party placed on economic and social axes, sized by seats.
Institutions
The System
- Official name
- Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- Capital
- Islamabad
- Population
- 251 million
- Statehood
- Independence 14 August 1947; Constitution 1973
- System
- Parliamentary republic
- Structure
- Federal
- Current constitution
- 1973
- Legislature
- Majlis-e-Shoora
- Lower / sole chamber
- National Assembly (336 seats)
- Upper chamber
- Senate (96)
- Electoral system
- FPTP in 266 seats plus 70 reserved seats for women and minorities.
- Term limits
- None for the prime minister; five-year National Assembly terms.
Sources
- National Assembly of Pakistan
- ECP
- Dawn
- EIU Democracy Index 2024; Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2025; RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025; Transparency International CPI 2024; IPU Parline, 2026; V-Dem v15 Liberal Democracy Index (approximate five-year readings)
Last verified 2026-10-29. Party placements are editorial estimates.
Data as of 2026-10-29.