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Governor-General of Pakistan facts for kids

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Governor-General of Pakistan
Coat of arms of Pakistan.svg
Coat of arms of Pakistan
Malik Muhammad.jpg
Longest serving
Sir Ghulam Muhammad

17 October 1951 – 7 August 1955
Style His Excellency
Residence Governor-General's House
Appointer Monarch of Pakistan
Formation 14 August 1947
First holder Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Final holder Iskander Mirza
Abolished 23 March 1956

The governor-general of Pakistan (Urdu: گورنر جنرل پاکستان) was the representative of the Pakistani monarch in the Dominion of Pakistan, established by the Indian Independence Act 1947. The office of governor-general was abolished when Pakistan became an Islamic republic in 1956.

Constitutional role

Muhammad Ali Jinnah sitting on the Chair of Governer General wearing a Sherwani
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, seated on the throne of Pakistan, carrying out official duties as the monarch's representative

Pakistan was one of the realms of the Commonwealth of Nations that shared the same person as sovereign and head of state. The Pakistani monarch was represented in the dominion by the governor-general of Pakistan, who was appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Pakistani government.

The Pakistani monarch and the Federal Legislature of Pakistan constituted the Parliament of Pakistan. All executive powers of Pakistan rested with the sovereign. All laws in Pakistan were enacted only with the granting of royal assent, granted by the governor-general on behalf of the sovereign. The governor-general was also responsible for summoning, proroguing, and dissolving the Federal Legislature. The governor-general had the power to choose and appoint the Council of Ministers and could dismiss them under his discretion. All Pakistani ministers of the Crown held office at the pleasure of the governor-general. The governor-general of Pakistan was also exempted from any proceedings against him in any Pakistani court.

Oath of office

The governor-general of Pakistan was required to take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of Pakistan as well as to the Pakistani monarch before being permitted to assume his seat. The oath of allegiance taken by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the first governor-general, was as follows:

"I, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, do solemnly affirm true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of Pakistan as by law established and that I will be faithful to His Majesty King George VI, in the office of Governor General of Pakistan."

List of governors-general of Pakistan

Following is a list of people who have served as governor-general of Pakistan.

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Monarch
(Reign)
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Jinnah1945c.jpg Muhammad Ali Jinnah
(1876–1948)
14 August
1947
11 September
1948
1 year, 28 days King George VI LOC matpc.14736 A (cropped).jpg
George VI
(1947–1952)
2 Khawaja Nazimuddin.jpg Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin
(1894–1964)
14 September
1948
17 October
1951
3 years, 33 days
3 Malik Muhammad.jpg Sir Ghulam Muhammad
(1895–1956)
17 October
1951
7 August
1955
3 years, 294 days
Her Majesty The Queen (1959).jpg
Elizabeth II
(1952–1956)
4 Iskander Mirza.jpg Iskander Mirza
(1899–1969)
7 August
1955
23 March
1956
229 days

Flag of the governor-general

See also

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