Chief Minister (Pakistan)

A Chief Minister (Urdu: وزیر اعلى‎—Wazīr-e Aʿlá), is the elected head of government of a province in Pakistan. The chief minister is the head of the provincial government, whereas in contrast, the governor is the nominal head, or the "de jure executive" and does everything under the guidance of the chief minister. The chief minister is elected by the provincial assembly, and is the leader of the provincial Legislature.

The parliamentary system in Pakistan follows the Westminster system. Hence the chief ministers of the provinces are elected by the members of the legislature, and the majority party is invited to elect a leader, whose tenure lasts for five years. The people do not elect the head of the government, rather they elect their representatives only. In turn their representatives select the head of the government. But once the head of the government is elected, he or she enjoys almost exclusive executive powers.

The Constitution of Pakistan sets the principle qualifications one must meet to be eligible to the office of the Chief Minister. A Chief Minister must be:

The chief minister is elected through a majority in the provincial legislative assembly. This is procedurally established by the vote of confidence in the legislative assembly, as suggested by the majority party who is the appointing authority.

After the successful elections, the swearing is done before the governor of the province. The oath of office, according to the "Articles [2] 130(5) and 132(2)" of the constitution is as follows.

(In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.)

I, ____________, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan:

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