Government

Pakistan is a federal republic. The legislature consists of the National Assembly and the Senate. Most members of the National Assembly are directly elected; they serve four-year terms. Members of the Senate are chosen by provincial legislatures; they serve five-year terms. A president is elected by a joint session of the National Assembly and Senate for a five-year term. A prime minister, chosen by the National Assembly, is the head of government and serves a four-year term.

The constitution of 1973 has been amended many times; it has also been suspended, as it was in 1999 by the military. It was restored in 2002 with amendments contested by various political factions.

The judicial system consists of a supreme court, provincial high courts, and a Shari'a (Federal Islamic) court.