President is the chief of state and is elected by the parliament for a five-year term. President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Though President is supposed to have a largely ceremonial role but military Presidents have played an influential role in country's mainstream politics throughout Pakistan's history. Prime Minister is elected by the lower house of the parliament through a vote for a five-year term. Prime Minister is the head of the government and enjoys the executive powers which include implementation of the law and running the day-to-day affairs of the country. The council of ministers (cabinet) is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Legislative Power
The legislature in Pakistan is bicameral. The parliament consists of: Senate (the upper house) having 100 seats, with its members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies to serve six-year terms; and National Assembly (the lower house) having 342 seats, with its members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. President can be impeached and removed from its office by two-third majority vote of the National Assembly, but the constitution of the country also gives the President the unique power to dissolve the National Assembly and also to dismiss the Prime Minister. Prime Minister cannot dissolve the parliament . The people of Pakistan still have limited political rights.
Main political parties
Pakistan has a multi-party system in which no one party often has a chance of gaining power alone, and parties work with each other to form coalition governments. Some of the major political parties in the country are: - PML(Q) (Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam) - centrist conservative political party derived from the original Pakistan Muslim League which had laid foundation of the state of Pakistan; - PPPP(Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarian) – a mainstream political party derived out of Pakistan Peoples Party, MMA (Muttahhida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan) - a coalition of Islamic religious parties; - PLM-N (Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz group) – also derived from the original Pakistan Muslim League; - MQM (Muhajir Qaumi Movement) - originally an ethnic student’s organization but now more known for its terrorist activites.
Note: Name and alliances of political parties in Pakistan keep on changing frequently.
Current political leaders
President: Asif Ali ZARDARI (since September 2008) Prime Minister: Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI (since March 2008)
Next election dates
Presidential: Year 2013 National Assembly: 2013
Living conditions
Health and safety
Health precautions
No specific vaccination is required. However a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if traveling from an infected area.
- Foreign travelers should drink only bottled water or other bottled beverages.
- Milk should be boiled incase unpasteurised or otherwise also.
- Incase food products like poultry, eggs, meat and dairy products are have been un-refrigerated for more than 2 hours, these should be avoided.
- Eat meat and fish only if well-cooked.
You should get medical insurance (including against medical repatriation costs) and seek medical advice before traveling to Pakistan.
Embassy of Greece in Pakistan H. 33A, School Road F-6/2 Islamabad Phone: + 92 51 2825186, + 92 51 2822558 Fax: + 92 51 8358985 gremb.isl@mfa.grhttp://www.grembpak.mfa.gr
Emergency numbers
Police
15
Ambulance
115
Fire Brigade Centre
16
Telephone enquiry
17
Railway enquiry
117
Time difference and climate
Time and time difference
It is %T:%M %A in Islamabad (GMT+5 )
Summer time period
None
Map of the time zone
Type of climate
There are normally three seasons in Pakistan:
Winter (November to March): is warm and cooled by sea breezes on the coast;
Summer (April to July): has extreme temperatures,
Monsoon (July to September): has the highest rainfall on the hills.
The maximum temperature in Karachi goes to around 35 degree C in May/June.
The best time to visit Southern part of Pakistan is between November and March, when the days are cool and clear. On the other hand, the best time to visit Northern part of Pakistan is from April to October.
