A government or state agency, often an appointed commission, is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types. Although usage differs, a government agency is normally distinct both from a department or ministry, and other types of public body established by government. The functions of an agency are normally executive in character, since different types of organizations (such as commissions) are most often constituted in an advisory role—this distinction is often blurred in practice however.
A government agency may be established by either a national government or a state government within a federal system. The term is not normally used for an organization created by the powers of a local government body. Agencies can be established by legislation or by executive powers. The autonomy, independence and accountability of government agencies also vary widely.
Early examples of organizations that would now be termed a government agency include the British Navy Board, responsible for ships and supplies, which was established[1] in 1546 by King Henry VIII and the British Commissioners of Bankruptcy established[2] in 1570.
From 1933, the New Deal saw rapid growth in US federal agencies, the "alphabet agencies" as they were used to deliver new programs mandated by legislation, such as federal emergency relief.
From the 1980s, as part of New Public Management, several countries including Australia and the United Kingdom developed the use of agencies to improve efficiency in public services.
The Government of Pakistan (Urdu: حکومتِ پاکستان) is a federal government established by the Constitution of Pakistan as a constituted governing authority of the four provinces of a proclaimed and established parliamentary democratic republic, constitutionally called the State of Pakistan.[1]
Effecting the Westminster system for governing the state, the government is mainly composed of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, in which all powers are vested by the Constitution in the Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Supreme Court.[2] The powers and duties of these branches are further defined by acts and amendments of the Parliament, including the creation of executive institutions, departments and courts inferior to the Supreme Court.[2] Granting constitutional powers to President to promulgate the ordinances and passing bills, the president acted as the ceremonial figurehead and the people-elected Prime Minister acting as the chief executive (of the executive branch) and responsible for running the federal government. There is a bicameral Parliament with the National Assembly as a lower house and the Senate as an upper house. The judicial branch systematically contains its apex Supreme Court, high courts of four provinces, numbers of district, anti-terrorism, Sharia, and the green courts; all inferior to the Supreme Court.[2]
The full name of the nation-state is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. No other name appears in the Constitution, and this is the name that appears on money, in treaties, and in legal cases. The "Pakistan Government" or "Government of Pakistan" are often used in official documents representing the federal government collectively.[2] Also, the terms "Federal" and "National" in government institution or program names generally indicates affiliation with the federal government. Because the seat of government is in Islamabad, "Islamabad" is commonly used as a metonym for the federal government.
The President of Pakistan is a ceremonial figurehead, a ceremonial head of state representing the unity of the country.
Elected for a five-year term by an indirect elections, the electoral college consisting of members of the Senate and National Assembly and members of the four provincial assemblies, the president is eligible for reelection.[8] But no individual may hold the office for more than two consecutive terms. The president may resign or be impeached and may be removed from office for incapacity or gross misconduct by a two-thirds vote of the members of the parliament.[8]
The President enjoys all constitutional powers and exercises them directly or through officers subordinate to him as per the aforesaid Article 41-Article 47.[9]
The President is responsible for making a wide variety of appointments.[9]
These include:
Governors of Four Provinces
The Chief Justice (after concluding the consultation with the Prime Minister)
The Chief Election Commissioner (Consultation required from the Prime Minister)
The Attorney General and Comptroller and Auditor General
The President, as Head of State also receives the credentials of Ambassadors from other countries, whilst the Prime Minister, as Head of Government, receives credentials of High Commissioners from other members of the Commonwealth, in line with historical tradition.
The President is de jure the civilian Commander in Chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces.[10]
The President of Pakistan can grant a pardon to or reduce the sentence, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority, particularly in cases involving punishment of death.[9] The decisions involving pardoning and other rights by the President are independent of the opinion of the Prime Minister or the Parliamentary majority. In most other cases, however, the President exercises his or her executive powers on the advice of the Prime Minister.[9]
Cabinet, executive departments and institutions[edit]
The Cabinet can have maximum number of 11 percent of total strength of Parliament members, there can be maximum 49 members of cabinet excluding PM.[11] Each Cabinet official must be a member of parliament (MP) who are elected in direct elections.[8] The Cabinet ministers chaired the Cabinet and further assisted by the Cabinet Secretary, whose appointment comes from the Civil Services of Pakistan. Other Ministers are either Ministers of State, who are junior members who report directly to one of the Cabinet Ministers, often overseeing a specific aspect of government.[8]
Once appointed all cabinet ministers are officially confirmed to their appointment offices by the President in a special oath of ceremony.[8]
Judicial Branch[edit]
Main article: Supreme Court of Pakistan
The Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Pakistan's independent judicial system begins under the British Raj, and its concepts and procedures resemble those of Anglo-Saxon countries. Institutional changes and judicial procedures were later changed under the influence by American legal and court system in the 1950s to remove the fundamental rights problems.[4] The Supreme Court of Pakistan consisted of Chief Justice and Senior justices; all appointed by the President after concluding the consultation with the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The Constitution does not fixed the number of justices of the Supreme Court, though it can be fixed by Parliament through an act signed by the President.[12]
The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, High Courts of Pakistan provincial level; District Courts in each district; anti-terrorism courts; Sharia courts;, and the environmental courts in all over the country; all courts inferior to Supreme Court.
