Social - Chap 3 : State and Government -

Federal Government in Pakistan

A. System of Governance

Pakistan is a federal republic, which means the country has two levels of government:

National (federal) government = whole country’s government
Provincial governments = = one province’s government
(A federal republic is a country where the people elect their leaders, and power is shared between the central government and local governments (states/provinces)

Parliament is the country’s law-making house where elected representatives make laws and decisions for the country..
Pakistan follows a parliamentary democracy under the Constitution of 1973.
Democracy was part of Pakistan’s founding ideology. Quaid-e-Azam once said: “We learnt democracy thirteen centuries ago.”
A federal system is best suited for Pakistan because it allows power to be divided clearly between the centre and the provinces.

B. Functions of the Federal Government

The federal government makes sure that power is shared equally among all provinces.
The provinces are given freedom to solve their local problems.
The federal level mainly looks after defence, foreign policy, and finance.
Other countries with federal systems include the United States, Canada, India, Russia, and Australia.

C. Formation of Government

1. Federal Level

Parliament of Pakistan has two houses:
- National Assembly (Lower House) – Members (MNAs) are elected every five years by citizens. It has 336 seats.
- Senate (Upper House) – A permanent house with equal representation from all provinces. Senators serve for six years, with half retiring every three years.
- Main Functions
  National Assembly (Lower House)
  – Members are elected directly by the people.- Makes new laws and passes bills.- Approves the national budget (money planning).- Elects the Prime Minister.- Represents the people of Pakistan.
  Senate (Upper House)
  – Members are chosen by the provinces, not directly by people.- Reviews and improves laws passed by the National Assembly.- Gives equal voice to all provinces, big or small.- Provides stability since it is a permanent house.- Represents the provinces of Pakistan.
Prime Minister and Cabinet
- The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the National Assembly.
- He is the executive authority and selects a cabinet of ministers to manage different ministries (e.g., Education, Health, Defence).
Role of the Senate
- Reviews and approves laws passed by the National Assembly.
- Provides stability and continuity in governance.

2. Provincial Level

Pakistan has four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Each province has its own Provincial Assembly to make laws.
The Governor (appointed by the President) is the ceremonial head of the province.
The Chief Minister and Cabinet manage the actual administration.

3. Local Level

Local governments handle day-to-day problems of citizens in cities, towns, and villages.
Levels of local government:
- District – 149 districts in Pakistan, headed by District Government/Zillah Council.
- Tehsil/Taluka – Smaller units of a district, headed by Tehsil Nazim.
- Union Council/Village Council – The smallest unit, led by Union Nazim with 13 elected councillors.

Rights and Responsibilities of Pakistani Citizens

A. Importance of a Constitution

A constitution is the highest law of the land.
It explains how a country is governed, the duties of the government, and the rights of citizens.
It divides power between the three branches:
- Legislative – makes laws.
- Executive – implements laws.
- Judiciary – interprets laws and ensures justice.

B. Fundamental Rights (1973 Constitution)

Every citizen has guaranteed rights such as:

Equality before law, without discrimination of religion or gender.
Freedom of speech and expression.
Freedom of movement anywhere in Pakistan.
Freedom to join associations or groups.
Freedom of business, trade, and profession.
Protection of life, property, and personal freedom.
Protection from forced or child labour.
Right to buy, sell, and own property.
Right to free and compulsory education for children aged 5–16.

C. Responsibilities of Citizens

With rights come duties. Every citizen must:

Remain loyal to Pakistan.
Obey the Constitution and laws.
Pay taxes honestly and on time.
Vote wisely in elections.
Protect and respect public property.

D. Rule of Law and Justice

The rule of law ensures that no one is above the law.
Illegal or unjust actions are punishable.
Citizens should report crimes and wrongdoings so that justice is maintained and society stays peaceful.

Leaders, Communities, and Citizens in Democracy

A. Democratic Process in Pakistan

Pakistan holds general elections every five years.
The principle is “one man, one vote.”
Citizens elect Members of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies.
The party with the most seats in the National Assembly forms the government and selects the Prime Minister.

B. Political Parties and Their Role

A political party is a group of people with similar ideas and beliefs.
Each party has a manifesto, which is a written plan of what they will do if elected.
Parties have leaders, members, and rules for internal elections.
Major parties in Pakistan: PPP, PML-N, PTI, along with others like MQM and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Each party has a symbol (appearing on ballot papers).

C. Functions of Political Parties

Select suitable candidates for elections.
Run campaigns with rallies, posters, and speeches.
Encourage citizens to vote.
Mobilize volunteers on election day.

D. Interdependence of Governments

Federal Government – makes policies on defence, finance, trade, foreign affairs.
Provincial Governments – manage health, education, roads, and local issues.
Local Governments – handle basic needs like sanitation, markets, and community issues.
All three levels depend on each other for smooth governance and financial support.

1. Why Pakistan Needs a Federal Government

Pakistan is a federal republic, meaning power is shared between the central government and the provinces.

Pakistan has four provinces, two regions, and Islamabad Capital Territory.
A federal system allows both the centre and the provinces to govern smoothly without confusion.
Provinces have autonomy to solve their own local issues, while the centre handles matters important to the entire country.
The federal government looks after defence, foreign affairs, and finance, while provinces deal with their internal needs.
This system ensures stability, equality, and unity across Pakistan.
Other countries with similar systems include the USA, Canada, India, Russia, and Australia.

2. How Governments Are Formed: Federal, Provincial, and Local Levels

A. Federal Level

Pakistan has a parliamentary democracy under the 1973 Constitution.
Parliament has two houses:
- National Assembly (Lower House) – 336 elected members (MNAs) chosen every five years.
- Senate (Upper House) – A permanent body with equal representation from all provinces; Senators serve for six years.
Prime Minister and Cabinet
- The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the National Assembly.
- He forms a cabinet of ministers to run state departments (Education, Health, Defence, etc.).
Role of the Senate
- Reviews laws passed by the National Assembly.
- Ensures smooth continuity of government.

B. Provincial Level

Pakistan has four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Each has a Provincial Assembly to make laws for its own region.
The Governor is appointed by the President as a ceremonial head.
The Chief Minister and Cabinet run the administration of the province.

C. Local Level

Local governments deal with daily needs of people in towns, villages, and cities.

District (Zillah Council / City District Government) – There are 149 districts in Pakistan, managed by District Officers.
Tehsil/Taluka – Smaller parts of a district, led by a Tehsil Nazim.
Union Council/Village Council – The lowest level, headed by a Union Nazim with 13 elected councillors.

This three-tier system ensures governance reaches the national, regional, and community level.

3. Importance of the Constitution

A constitution is the highest law of the country.
It decides:
- How the government is formed.
- What powers each branch (Legislative, Executive, Judiciary) has.
- The rights of citizens.
Pakistan’s Constitution of 1973 provides a parliamentary system and ensures equality, justice, and rule of law.

4. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens under the 1973 Constitution

Rights of Citizens

Equality before law (no discrimination by religion, gender, etc.).
Freedom of speech and expression.
Freedom to move anywhere in Pakistan.
Freedom of association and assembly.
Freedom of business, trade, and profession.
Protection of life and property.
Protection from forced and child labour.
Right to own, buy, and sell property.
Free and compulsory education for children aged 5–16.

Responsibilities of Citizens

Loyalty to the state.
Obedience to the Constitution and laws.
Paying taxes on time.
Using the vote responsibly.
Protecting public property.

5. Importance of Rule of Law in Society

The rule of law means no one is above the law.
Illegal and unjust actions are punishable.
Citizens are safe and society stays peaceful when laws are followed.
People must also report crimes and wrongdoing to protect justice.

6. Functions of Political Parties in Democracy

Political parties are essential in democracy.
What they do:
- Formed by people with shared ideas and beliefs.
- Create a manifesto (plan of action if they win).
- Elect their own leaders and members.
- Contest elections with symbols on ballot papers.
Major Parties in Pakistan:
- Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
- Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N)
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
- Others: MQM, Jamaat-e-Islami
During elections, parties:
- Choose candidates.
- Organize rallies, campaigns, and posters.
- Mobilize volunteers and voters.

7. Interdependence of Federal, Provincial, and Local Governments

All three levels of government depend on each other.

Federal Government:

Handles defence, foreign policy, finance, currency, and inter-provincial trade.

Provincial Government:

Manages health, education, roads, and municipal services.
Uses funds provided by the Federal government.

Local Government:

Solves day-to-day community problems like sanitation, water, and local markets.

Together, these three levels make governance smooth, coordinated, and effective across Pakistan.

Chapter Questions and Answers

Circle the correct answer

In a federation, provinces are autonomous and can govern themselves.
The Senate is the upper House of Parliament.
At the federal level, the National Assembly is the law-making body.
It is the duty of a citizen to report all illegal actions.
A constitution is a document which is a compilation of the basic principles and laws of the nation.

What system of government did Quaid-e-Azam choose for Pakistan? Why is it a good system?

Quaid-e-Azam chose parliamentary democracy for Pakistan. He believed Muslims had practiced democratic principles for centuries. This system is good because it shares power between the central government and the provinces, gives provinces control over their own matters, and prevents confusion in power sharing.

Explain the parliamentary federal system for Pakistan.

Pakistan has a parliamentary federal system with two levels of government: national and provincial. The central government runs the whole country, while provinces manage their own affairs. People elect members of parliament, and these members choose the Prime Minister. This system balances power between the center and the provinces.

Explain the process of government formation in Pakistan at all levels.

Federal Level: Pakistan has a parliament with two houses – National Assembly and Senate. Citizens elect National Assembly members, and the leader of the majority party becomes Prime Minister with a cabinet. Senate members come from provinces with equal seats.

Provincial Level: Each province has its own assembly. The Chief Minister, chosen by the assembly, runs the province with a cabinet. The Governor is appointed by the President. Provinces handle their own affairs.

Local Level: Provinces have local governments with districts, tehsils/talukas, and union or village councils. People elect local representatives to manage daily needs like water, roads, and services.

List the reasons for the need for a federal government and compare why it’s better than other governmental systems.

Need for Federal Government: Pakistan has many provinces and regions, so power must be shared between the center and provinces. A federal system divides authority fairly, gives provinces autonomy, and helps them solve their own problems.

Why It’s Better: Unlike other systems, federalism ensures both national unity and provincial independence. The central government handles national policies, while provinces manage local matters, creating balance, stability, and equality.

Describe the federal structure of Pakistan. How do the provincial governments run their own provinces?

Federal Structure of Pakistan: Pakistan has two levels of government – federal and provincial. The constitution shares powers between them.

Provincial Governments: Each province has its own assembly to make laws. The Chief Minister and cabinet run the administration, and provinces have full authority over their own affairs.

What is a constitution? How does a constitution guarantee the rights of citizens of a state?

What is a Constitution? A constitution is the main law of a country. It explains the powers of the government and the roles of its three branches: legislature, executive, and judiciary.

Rights of Citizens: The 1973 Constitution of Pakistan gives citizens basic rights like equality, freedom of speech, movement, association, and trade. It also protects life, property, and guards against forced or child labor.

Which unjust and illegal activities could take place in the absence of the rule of law? Discuss its importance.

Without Rule of Law: Crimes and unfair acts would go unpunished, creating disorder and insecurity in society.

Importance: Rule of law makes sure everyone is equal before the law, illegal acts are punished, and justice is given. Citizens must also report wrongdoings to keep society safe.

Multiple Choice Questions

An election is held for the National and Provincial assemblies every five years.
The election is held on a ‘One man, One vote’ basis.
A political party is formed when a group of people who share the same political ideology or belief come together.
Each party has a symbol to represent it.
The Provincial and Local governments are dependent on the finances allocated by the Federal government.

Short Answer Questions

Why are political parties necessary for a democracy to work? Political parties are a crucial part of a democracy. They contest elections to form the government. The party with the most seats in the National Assembly gets to govern the nation.
How are political parties organized? What is a party manifesto? Political parties have a formal structure and leadership. The members elect their own leader by vote and take an oath to follow the party’s rules. A party manifesto is a document that describes the party’s ideology, motivation, and purpose. It also outlines how the party will govern the country and address citizen issues through policies if they come to power.
Describe some functions of political parties. Political parties recruit candidates who are likely to win seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies. They organize election campaigns, rallies, and speeches to win over voters. Parties also put up posters to introduce their candidates to the public and encourage volunteers to help with campaigns and on election day.
Which is the most important responsibility of a citizen and why? Based on the document, the most fundamental duty of all citizens is loyalty to the state. This is the foundation upon which other responsibilities, such as obedience to the Constitution and its laws , paying taxes , and protecting public property, are built. Following these responsibilities ensures peace, harmony, and the proper functioning of the country.