Legal System of Pakistan

Pakistan is located in South Asia. It is geographically situated in southern asia, bordering the arabian sea, between india on the east and iran and afghanistan on the west and china in the north. The country achieved independence on 14 august 1947 (from british india). The capital is Islamabad.

Government Overview

Government Type: federal parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 10 March 2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz SHARIF (since 3 March 2024) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 4 provinces, 2 Pakistan-administered areas*, and 1 capital territory**; Azad Kashmir*, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh National Holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March, also referred to as Pakistan Resolution Day (1940) or Republic Day (1956) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Pakistan is described as common law system with Islamic law influence International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest endorsed 12 April 1973, passed 19 April 1973, entered into force 14 August 1973 (suspended and restored several times) Amendment Process: proposed by the Senate or by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of Pakistan (consists of the chief justice and 16 judges) Judge Selection: justices nominated by an 8-member parliamentary committee on the recommendation of the Judicial Commission, a 9-member body of judges and other judicial professionals, and appointed by the president; justices can serve until age 65 Subordinate Courts: High Courts; Federal Shariat Court; provincial and district civil and criminal courts; specialized courts for issues, such as taxation, banking, and customs

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Note:

Lower Chamber: National Assembly (336 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): plurality/majority Upper Chamber: Senate

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: yes Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Pakistan Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of modern-day Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Pakistan based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.