President of Pakistan Yahya Khan indefinitely postpones the pending national assembly session, precipitating massive civil disobedience in East Pakistan.

The Presidency of Pakistan: A Journey Through Power and Ceremony

The **President of Pakistan**, formally known as the **President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan** (Urdu: صدر پاکستان, romanized: s̤adr-i Pākiṣṭān), holds the esteemed position of the ceremonial head of state and is the supreme **commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces**. This pivotal office came into existence on March 23, 1956, coinciding with the proclamation of Pakistan as an Islamic Republic. The then Governor-General, **Iskander Mirza**, notably became the country's very first president, marking a new chapter in Pakistan's political landscape.

Evolution of the Presidential Role

The journey of the Pakistani presidency has been a fascinating and often tumultuous one, reflecting the nation's broader political shifts. Following the significant 1958 coup d'état, a dramatic change occurred: the office of the prime minister was abolished, elevating the presidency to the most powerful position in the nation. This immense executive authority was further solidified with the adoption of the 1962 Constitution, which officially transformed Pakistan into a **Presidential Republic**, vesting all executive powers directly in the president. However, this powerful era was relatively short-lived. In 1973, a new Constitution ushered in a return to **parliamentary democracy**, significantly curtailing the president's role to a largely ceremonial one, a system commonly seen in many parliamentary republics worldwide.

Yet, the political pendulum swung once more. The military takeover in 1977 reversed these democratic advancements, leading to the **8th Amendment**. This amendment repositioned Pakistan as a semi-presidential republic, a hybrid system where, between 1985 and 2010, executive power was shared dynamically between the president and the **prime minister**. A momentous legislative change arrived in 2010 with the **18th Amendment**, which effectively restored full parliamentary democracy and, in doing so, once again reduced the presidency to its current ceremonial status, ensuring a balance of power with the elected government.

Current Powers, Responsibilities, and Election

Under the present constitutional framework, the **President of Pakistan** is expressly prohibited from directly running the government. Instead, the country's executive power is exercised on the president's behalf by the **prime minister**, who is constitutionally bound to keep the president fully informed on all matters pertaining to internal and foreign policy, as well as every legislative proposal. Nevertheless, the Constitution still vests the president with certain crucial powers. These include the authority to grant pardons and reprieves, and a degree of control over the military. However, all appointments to higher commands within the **Pakistan Armed Forces** must be made by the president on a "required and necessary" basis, only after thorough consultation with and approval from the **prime minister**.

The **President of Pakistan** is not directly elected by popular vote but through an **Electoral College** for a five-year term. The constitutional prerequisites for holding this high office are clear: a candidate must be a "Muslim of not less than forty-five (45) years of age." The official residence of the president is the grand **Aiwan-e-Sadar** (President's House), situated in the nation's capital, Islamabad. In the event of the president's absence, the chairman of the Senate assumes the responsibilities of the post until the sitting president returns or a new office holder is elected. Pakistan has seen a total of 13 presidents since its inception. The first, as mentioned, was **Iskander Ali Mirza** on March 23, 1956. The current office holder is **Arif Alvi**, who assumed charge on September 9, 2018, following his victory in the 2018 elections.

Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan: A Controversial Figure in Pakistan's History

Among Pakistan's leaders, **Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan**, widely known simply as **Yahya Khan**, stands as one of the most controversial and historically significant figures. A Pakistani general, he served as the **Chief Martial Law Administrator of Pakistan** from March 25, 1969, until December 1971. His period in power is indelibly linked to one of the most tragic chapters in the nation's history.

The Road to Power and the Genesis of Conflict

Yahya Khan's military career began much earlier, having participated in the Mediterranean theatre of World War II as part of Great Britain's British Indian Army. Following the partition of India in 1947, he opted for Pakistani citizenship and joined its fledgling military. He was instrumental in executing the covert infiltration into Indian Kashmir, an action that played a significant role in sparking the 1965 war with India. His ascent to military command in 1966 was not without controversy. In 1969, facing immense pressure from widespread protests and an inability to deal with the burgeoning uprising in East Pakistan, the then-president was forced to resign and offered Yahya Khan the office. Upon assuming the presidency, Yahya Khan swiftly enforced martial law, effectively suspending the constitution, consolidating his power.

The 1970 Elections and the Bangladesh Genocide

Despite his authoritarian rule, Yahya Khan did oversee a momentous event: the nation's first nationwide elections in 1970, 23 years after independence. However, his subsequent actions proved catastrophic. He controversially delayed the transition of power to **Sheikh Mujibur Rahman** from East Pakistan, whose party had won a decisive victory. This delay further inflamed the already volatile civil unrest in East Pakistan. In a tragic decision that would forever alter the course of the region, Yahya Khan authorized the East Pakistani authorities to violently suppress dissent. This brutal crackdown, famously initiated through **Operation Searchlight**, directly triggered the **Bangladesh Liberation War**.

**Yahya Khan**, along with Tikka Khan, is widely considered a chief architect of the 1971 **Bangladesh genocide**. Independent researchers estimate that this horrifying period resulted in the deaths of between 300,000 and 3,000,000 Bengalis, a staggering human cost of political and military aggression. Pakistan suffered a decisive defeat in the **Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971**, leading to the dissolution of the Eastern Command of the Pakistan Army and the eventual secession of East Pakistan, which emerged as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Consequently, Yahya Khan's rule is broadly regarded as a primary cause of the tragic break-up of Pakistan.

Downfall and Legacy

Following these devastating events, **Yahya Khan** turned over the leadership of the country to **Zulfikar Ali Bhutto**, the prominent politician from West Pakistan, and resigned from his military command in disgrace, both on December 20, 1971. He was subsequently stripped of his service honors and kept under house surveillance for most of the 1970s. After being released from these restrictions in 1977, he passed away in Rawalpindi in 1980. Pakistani historians largely view him negatively, considering him among the least successful and most destructive leaders in the country's complex history.

Frequently Asked Questions about the President of Pakistan and Yahya Khan

Who is the ceremonial head of state of Pakistan?
The ceremonial head of state of Pakistan is the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
When was the office of President of Pakistan created?
The office was created upon the proclamation of the Islamic Republic on March 23, 1956, with Iskander Mirza becoming the first president.
What are the key powers of the President of Pakistan today?
The president grants pardons, reprieves, and exercises control over the military, although executive power is primarily wielded by the prime minister, who keeps the president informed on policy and legislative matters. High-level military appointments require consultation and approval from the prime minister.
How is the President of Pakistan elected?
The president is indirectly elected by an Electoral College for a five-year term.
What are the eligibility requirements for the President of Pakistan?
The president must be a Muslim of not less than forty-five (45) years of age.
Who was Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan?
Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan was a Pakistani general and Chief Martial Law Administrator who led Pakistan from 1969 to 1971, a period marked by significant national upheaval.
What was Yahya Khan's role in the Bangladesh Liberation War?
Yahya Khan authorized military action and violent suppression of dissent in East Pakistan, which directly led to **Operation Searchlight**, triggering the **Bangladesh Liberation War** and the subsequent creation of Bangladesh. He is considered a chief architect of the Bangladesh genocide.
What was the outcome of Yahya Khan's rule?
His rule resulted in Pakistan's decisive defeat in the 1971 war, the secession of East Pakistan as Bangladesh, and widespread condemnation for the Bangladesh genocide. He is largely viewed as one of Pakistan's least successful leaders.