List of Presidents of Pakistan

The President of Pakistan is the head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. According to the Constitution of Pakistan, the President has "powers, subject to Supreme Court approval or veto, to dissolve the National Assembly, triggering new elections, and thereby dismissing the Prime Minister". These powers were repeatedly modified through amendments to the constitution, which were introduced as the results of military coups and changes in government. Since the 18th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in 2010, Pakistan has been shifted back from semi-presidential to a parliamentary democratic republic. Under that system, the president has limited ruling powers, and performs ceremonial duties while the Prime Minister enjoys more powers to execute decisions. The president is chosen by the Electoral College composed of the Senate, the National Assembly and the Provincial Assemblies.

There have been twelve presidents of Pakistan since the introduction of the post in 1956. The office was established when Pakistan was declared as a republic with the adoption of the 1956 constitution, and Iskander Mirza, a retired army officer and bureaucrat, became the first president of the country. Apart from these twelve Presidents, who formally took office, two people have also served acting presidents for short periods of time. One of them, Wasim Sajjad, served as Acting President on two non-consecutive occasions: during 1993 and 1997–98. The second was Muhammad Mian Soomro who acted as the President in 2008. Both, President Sajjad and President Soomro were the Chairman of Senate. According to the constitution, the Chairman Senate would serve as the President during his absence or when the post is vacant.

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