IDEOLOGY AND
CONSTITUTON OF PAKISTAN
TIERS OF
GOVERNMENT
BY :M.IDREES
Overview
Three-tier system: Federal, Provincial, 01
Local
Federal: National affairs, central authority 02
Provincial: Regional governance, 03
autonomy
Local: Grassroots service delivery 04
Constitution: Defines powers and 05
responsibilities
Key focus: Unity, decentralization, 06
efficient administration
Inter-governmental coordination: Legal 07
and fiscal mechanisms
Introduction
Three-tier system under 1973 Constitution: Federal, Provincial, Local
Federal: National governance (defense, economy, foreign affairs)
Provincial: Regional administration (Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan,
ICT)
Local: Grassroots services (districts, tehsils, union councils)
Ensures unity, autonomy, and service delivery
Federal Government
Structure
Top-level authority for national and
international functions
Based on Articles 50–89 of
Constitution
Branches:
Legislature: Bicameral (National
Assembly + Senate)
Executive: Prime Minister, President,
Cabinet
Judiciary: Supreme Court, Federal
Courts
Federal Legislature
National Assembly (342 members):
Passes laws, approves budget, can
remove PM (Art. 95)
Senate (104 members): Equal
provincial representation, legislative
review
Lawmaking Process:
Bills passed by both houses (Money
Bills via NA only)
Joint sittings for deadlocks (Art. 72)
Federal Executive
Prime Minister: Head of Government,
cabinet leader, appoints key
officials
President: Ceremonial head, signs
bills, ordinance powers (Art. 89),
armed forces commander (Art. 243)
Federal Judiciary
Supreme Court (17 judges):
Appellate, constitutional review,
jurisdiction in federal-provincial
disputes
Federal Shariat Court: Ensures
Islamic compliance
High Courts: Operate provincially,
federally structured
Federal Powers – National
Security & Foreign Affairs
Defense (Art. 243): Army, Navy, Air
Force, Strategic Forces
Intelligence: ISI, IB, paramilitary
(Rangers, FC)
Foreign Affairs: Treaties (e.g. Indus
Waters, CPEC), embassies, intl.
bodies (UN, OIC, SAARC)
Federal Powers –
Economy & Law
Economy:
State Bank (monetary policy)
FBR (tax collection)
Planning Commission (5-Year
Plans, CPEC)
Law & Justice:
Federal subjects (Seventh
Schedule)
FIA (cybercrime, trafficking)
NAB (anti-corruption)
Federal Subdivisions
Second tier; manages
provinces + ICT
Empowered by Articles
141–144 & 18th
Amendment (2010)
Provincial
Government
Structure Key organs:
Unicameral Assemblies
Chief Minister + Cabinet
High Courts
Governor (Federal appointee)
Provincial Powers
Services &
Infrastructure
Education: Curriculum boards, schools,
universities
Health: Public hospitals, clinics
Agriculture: Crop policy, irrigation
Law & Order: Provincial police
Transport: Mass transit, highways,
development authorities
Provincial Subdivisions
Local Government – Structure
Third tier; governed by Article 140A
Framework under provincial LG
Acts (Punjab 2019, Sindh 2013)
Tiers:
District Govts: Mayors, infrastructure &
zoning
Tehsil Councils: Local taxation, small
projects
Union Councils: Records, local disputes
Local Government – Structure
Local Powers – Services & Planning
Municipal Services: Water (WASA,
KW&SB), waste (LWMC)
Urban Planning: Lahore Master Plan
2050, Karachi Plan 2020
Enforcement: Traffic police,
municipal courts
Local Subdivisions
Intergovernmental Relations
NFC (National Finance Commission):
Revenue distribution
CCI (Council of Common Interests):
Federal-provincial coordination
Challenges: Fiscal imbalance, urban-
rural gaps
Conclusion
Three-tier system ensures national
unity + regional/local autonomy
Ongoing issues: fiscal
decentralization, administrative
efficiency
Key to democratic governance and
inclusive development
ANY QUESTION?
