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Complete List of Prime Ministers of Pakistan (1947–2026): Tenure, Spouse, Children, Political History, Major Controversies, Caretaker Governments and FAQ

The office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan has had one of the most eventful histories among parliamentary democracies in South Asia. Since independence in ...

Bison Technical Team Enterprise IT specialists

Updated 23 Aug 2026 20 min read 0 total views

The office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan has had one of the most eventful histories among parliamentary democracies in South Asia. Since independence in 1947, Pakistan has experienced elected governments, dismissals of prime ministers, military coups, martial-law periods, caretaker administrations, judicial interventions, constitutional amendments and repeated transitions between civilian and military rule.

According to Pakistan's National Assembly, the sequence begins with Liaquat Ali Khan in 1947 and currently ends with Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, whose second term began on 4 March 2024. The National Assembly's list was updated in 2026 and identifies Shehbaz Sharif as the incumbent prime minister.

Pakistan's Cabinet Division likewise records Shehbaz Sharif's present federal cabinet as serving from 4 March 2024 to date.

Important note about controversies and family information: The word "scandal" is often used loosely in political discussions. This article therefore distinguishes between allegations, political controversies, court cases, convictions and established historical events. An allegation does not by itself establish guilt. Where reliable public information about a prime minister's spouse or number of children is unavailable or inconsistent, this article states that rather than guessing.

Prime Ministers of Pakistan at a Glance

Pakistan's official records show the following broad chronology. Some politicians served more than once, while several people served only as caretaker prime ministers.

Prime Minister	Main period(s) in office
Liaquat Ali Khan	1947–1951
Khawaja Nazimuddin	1951–1953
Muhammad Ali Bogra	1953–1955
Chaudhry Muhammad Ali	1955–1956
Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy	1956–1957
Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar	1957
Feroz Khan Noon	1957–1958
Nurul Amin	1971
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto	1973–1977
Muhammad Khan Junejo	1985–1988
Benazir Bhutto	1988–1990; 1993–1996
Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi	1990, caretaker
Nawaz Sharif	1990–1993; briefly restored in 1993; 1997–1999; 2013–2017
Balakh Sher Mazari	1993, caretaker
Moeen Qureshi	1993, caretaker
Malik Meraj Khalid	1996–1997, caretaker
Zafarullah Khan Jamali	2002–2004
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain	2004
Shaukat Aziz	2004–2007
Muhammad Mian Soomro	2007–2008, caretaker
Yousaf Raza Gillani	2008–2012
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf	2012–2013
Mir Hazar Khan Khoso	2013, caretaker
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi	2017–2018
Nasir-ul-Mulk	2018, caretaker
Imran Khan	2018–2022
Shehbaz Sharif	2022–2023; 2024–present
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar	2023–2024, caretaker

1. Liaquat Ali Khan

Tenure: 15 August 1947 – 16 October 1951
Spouse: Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan
Children: Public historical records commonly identify his sons Akbar and Ashraf; some databases count three children overall.

Liaquat Ali Khan was Pakistan's first prime minister and one of Muhammad Ali Jinnah's closest political associates. He faced the enormous administrative challenge of establishing a new federal government after Partition, dealing with refugees, relations with India, Kashmir and the country's emerging constitutional structure.

Controversy and death

His period is associated more with early-state political disputes than with a modern corruption scandal. His assassination, however, remains one of the great unresolved controversies of Pakistani history.

He was shot while addressing a public meeting in Rawalpindi on 16 October 1951.

2. Khawaja Nazimuddin

Tenure: 17 October 1951 – 17 April 1953
Spouse: Shah Bano
Children: Public biographical accounts vary; an exact number should be treated cautiously.

Khawaja Nazimuddin had previously served as Governor-General before becoming prime minister after Liaquat Ali Khan's assassination.

His government faced economic difficulties, food shortages, political instability and religious disturbances.

Major controversy

Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad dismissed Nazimuddin in 1953 even though he retained parliamentary support. The episode became an important early example of the struggle between Pakistan's elected executive and powerful unelected constitutional offices.

3. Muhammad Ali Bogra

Tenure: 17 April 1953 – 11 August 1955
Spouses: Begum Hamida Mohammad Ali and Aliya Begum
Children: At least two sons are documented from his first marriage.

Muhammad Ali Bogra was a diplomat and politician who became particularly famous for the Bogra Formula, an attempt to solve the representation dispute between East and West Pakistan.

Major controversy

His second marriage in 1955 generated significant public controversy and protests over polygamy, particularly among women's organisations.

Politically, his tenure was also affected by the 1954 dissolution of the Constituent Assembly.

4. Chaudhry Muhammad Ali

Tenure: 11 August 1955 – 12 September 1956

Chaudhry Muhammad Ali was a civil servant, statesman and an important participant in Pakistan's constitutional development.

His most important achievement was overseeing the adoption of the Constitution of 1956, under which Pakistan formally became the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Controversies

His tenure was dominated by coalition instability, disagreements inside the Muslim League and disputes surrounding the One Unit arrangement rather than a major personal corruption scandal.

Family: Detailed spouse and child information is not consistently documented in authoritative public sources.

5. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy

Tenure: 12 September 1956 – 18 October 1957

Suhrawardy was one of Bengal's most influential political leaders and a strong advocate of parliamentary government.

He attempted to address political differences between East and West Pakistan while pursuing close relations with Western powers.

Controversies

His political career was controversial because of intense disputes over Bengali representation, foreign policy and his earlier role in Bengal politics. His government eventually lost political support and he resigned.

Family: He married more than once and had children, but historical accounts vary enough that a single simplified number can be misleading.

6. Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar

Tenure: 18 October 1957 – 16 December 1957

I. I. Chundrigar served for only about two months, making his administration one of Pakistan's shortest.

His coalition collapsed primarily because of disputes over electoral arrangements and political representation.

Scandal

No major personal corruption scandal is generally associated with his short premiership. His principal problem was political instability.

Family information: Not consistently available in reliable mainstream historical records.

7. Feroz Khan Noon

Tenure: 16 December 1957 – 7 October 1958
Spouse: Viqar-un-Nisa Noon was his best-known wife.
Children: Five children from his first marriage are reported.

Feroz Khan Noon was the last prime minister before Pakistan's first military takeover.

One of the major achievements associated with his government was Pakistan's acquisition of Gwadar from Oman.

Political controversy

His government ended when President Iskander Mirza imposed martial law on 7 October 1958. General Ayub Khan subsequently displaced Mirza.

The Prime Minister's Office Disappears: 1958–1971

Pakistan did not continuously have a prime minister after the 1958 coup.

The office was effectively abolished during the presidential/military system and remained absent until the final days of united Pakistan in 1971. Historical records therefore show a large gap between Feroz Khan Noon and Nurul Amin.

8. Nurul Amin

Tenure: 7 December 1971 – 20 December 1971

Nurul Amin served as prime minister for only about two weeks during the catastrophic final phase of the 1971 war and the separation of East Pakistan, which became Bangladesh.

He was the only prime minister of Pakistan whose tenure was entirely within the December 1971 crisis.

Controversy

His political position during the East Pakistan crisis remains historically controversial, particularly because he supported maintaining a united Pakistan.

9. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Tenure: 14 August 1973 – 5 July 1977
Best-known spouse: Nusrat Bhutto
Children: Four — Benazir, Murtaza, Shahnawaz and Sanam Bhutto.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto founded the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and became one of the most influential political figures in Pakistan's history.

After initially serving as president, he became prime minister following implementation of the 1973 Constitution.

Major controversies

His government was accused by opponents of authoritarianism and political repression.

The disputed 1977 general election triggered a major opposition movement.

General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq overthrew Bhutto's government on 5 July 1977.

Bhutto was subsequently convicted in a murder-related case and executed in 1979. The fairness of his trial remained controversial for decades.

Another Gap in Parliamentary Government

Following the 1977 military coup, the office of prime minister again disappeared for several years.

It returned under General Zia-ul-Haq's controlled transition to civilian government.

10. Muhammad Khan Junejo

Tenure: 23/24 March 1985 – 29 May 1988. Official Pakistani sources contain a minor date variation regarding the commencement date.

Junejo became prime minister following the non-party elections of 1985.

Although initially considered politically dependent on President Zia-ul-Haq, he gradually asserted civilian authority.

Major controversy

His government investigated the Ojhri Camp disaster of 1988, and tensions with Zia increased.

President Zia dismissed Junejo's government in May 1988.

11. Benazir Bhutto

Tenures:
First: 2 December 1988 – 5/6 August 1990
Second: 19 October 1993 – 5 November 1996

Spouse: Asif Ali Zardari
Children: Three — Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Aseefa.

Benazir Bhutto became the first woman to head the government of a Muslim-majority country.

She was the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and twice served as Pakistan's prime minister.

Major controversies

Both governments faced allegations of corruption, mismanagement and nepotism.

Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, became a particularly controversial political figure and faced numerous corruption allegations and legal proceedings.

It is important to distinguish allegations made against her governments from final findings in individual court cases.

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi on 27 December 2007.

12. Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi — Caretaker

Tenure: 6 August 1990 – 6 November 1990

Jatoi headed the caretaker government after Benazir Bhutto's first administration was dismissed.

His primary responsibility was overseeing the transition to elections rather than implementing a long-term governing programme.

13. Nawaz Sharif

Tenures:
First: 6 November 1990 – 18 April 1993
Restored: 26 May 1993 – 18 July 1993
Second major term: 17 February 1997 – 12 October 1999
Third: 5 June 2013 – 28 July 2017

Spouse: Kulsoom Nawaz, who died in 2018
Children: Four — Hassan, Hussain, Maryam and Asma.

Nawaz Sharif is one of Pakistan's most important post-1988 politicians and has served as prime minister three separate times.

Major controversies

His first administration was dismissed by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1993, but the Supreme Court restored it. The political crisis nevertheless ended with both men leaving office.

His second government ended in the 12 October 1999 military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf.

His third term was engulfed by the Panama Papers controversy.

The Supreme Court disqualified him from office in July 2017 following proceedings arising from the Panama Papers investigation.

His subsequent convictions, appeals and political rehabilitation became major components of Pakistan's political and judicial history.

14. Balakh Sher Mazari — Caretaker

Tenure: 18 April 1993 – 26 May 1993

Mazari was appointed caretaker prime minister after Nawaz Sharif's dismissal.

His appointment effectively ended when the Supreme Court restored Nawaz Sharif's government.

Pakistan's Cabinet Division notes the unusual constitutional status of this caretaker period in its historical records.

15. Moeen Qureshi — Caretaker

Tenure: 18 July 1993 – 19 October 1993

Moeen Qureshi was an economist and former senior World Bank official.

His caretaker administration became known for attempts at economic reform, transparency and documenting tax liabilities of prominent individuals.

No major personal scandal dominates accounts of his short caretaker tenure.

16. Malik Meraj Khalid — Caretaker

Tenure: 5 November 1996 – 17 February 1997

Malik Meraj Khalid was a veteran politician and former speaker of the National Assembly.

He headed the caretaker administration following the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto's second government.

His tenure is generally regarded as transitional rather than being associated with a major personal scandal.

Military Government: 1999–2002

Nawaz Sharif's government was removed in the military coup of 12 October 1999.

General Pervez Musharraf governed as Chief Executive rather than becoming a conventional prime minister. The Cabinet Division's historical list explicitly records Musharraf as Chief Executive during this interval.

17. Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali

Tenure: 23 November 2002 – 26 June 2004

Jamali became the first elected prime minister from Balochistan.

He served during President Pervez Musharraf's rule and headed a Pakistan Muslim League (Q)-led government.

Controversy

The central political question surrounding his government was the degree of authority exercised by the presidency and military establishment.

Jamali unexpectedly resigned in 2004.

18. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain

Tenure: 30 June 2004 – August 2004

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain served as prime minister for only a short transitional period.

His appointment effectively bridged the gap between Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Shaukat Aziz.

Controversy

His tenure was too short for a major independent policy programme or prime-ministerial scandal to develop.

19. Shaukat Aziz

Tenure: 28 August 2004 – 15 November 2007

Spouse: Rukhsana Aziz
Children: Public biographies generally report three children.

Shaukat Aziz was an international banker before entering Pakistani politics. He served first as finance minister and later became prime minister under President Musharraf.

Major controversies

His government was criticised over privatisation policy, economic inequality, the political structure under Musharraf and questions about the sustainability of Pakistan's economic growth.

The attempted privatisation of Pakistan Steel Mills became particularly controversial.

20. Muhammad Mian Soomro — Caretaker

Tenure: 16 November 2007 – 24/25 March 2008

Soomro headed the caretaker administration during one of Pakistan's most turbulent political periods.

His tenure included the aftermath of the 2007 emergency and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

21. Yousaf Raza Gillani

Tenure: 25 March 2008 – 19 June 2012
Spouse: Fauzia Gillani
Children: Five are commonly reported.

Gillani became prime minister following the PPP's return to power after the 2008 election.

His government oversaw the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which substantially strengthened Pakistan's parliamentary system and provincial autonomy.

Major controversy

Gillani became embroiled in a confrontation with the Supreme Court concerning requests to Swiss authorities relating to corruption allegations involving President Asif Ali Zardari.

He was convicted of contempt of court in 2012 and subsequently ceased to hold the office of prime minister.

22. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf

Tenure: 22 June 2012 – 24 March 2013
Spouse: Nusrat Pervez Ashraf
Children: Four — two sons and two daughters.

Ashraf succeeded Yousaf Raza Gillani.

Major controversy — Rental Power Projects

Before becoming prime minister, Ashraf served as water and power minister and became closely associated with the controversial Rental Power Projects.

The issue generated investigations and allegations of corruption.

Care should be taken not to describe allegations or investigations as proof of guilt without reference to the outcome of the relevant proceeding.

23. Mir Hazar Khan Khoso — Caretaker

Tenure: 25 March 2013 – 4 June 2013

Khoso was a retired judge who headed the caretaker administration responsible for the 2013 general election transition.

No major personal corruption scandal is generally associated with his short caretaker premiership.

24. Nawaz Sharif — Third Premiership

Nawaz Sharif returned as prime minister on 5 June 2013.

His third administration pursued major infrastructure and energy projects and expanded cooperation with China through projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

His term ended on 28 July 2017 after his Supreme Court disqualification.

See the Nawaz Sharif section above for family and controversy details.

25. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

Tenure: 1 August 2017 – 31 May 2018
Marital status: Married
Children: Three sons are reported.

Abbasi succeeded Nawaz Sharif after Sharif's disqualification.

An engineer and businessman, Abbasi had previously served as petroleum minister.

Major controversy

He later faced investigation and arrest relating to an LNG terminal case.

As with all such matters, an investigation, arrest or allegation should not automatically be described as proof of criminal wrongdoing.

26. Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk — Caretaker

Tenure: 1 June 2018 – 18 August 2018

Nasir-ul-Mulk was a former Chief Justice of Pakistan.

His caretaker government's primary responsibility was overseeing the 2018 general election and maintaining continuity until an elected government took office.

No major personal scandal is generally associated with his caretaker premiership.

27. Imran Khan

Tenure: 18 August 2018 – 10 April 2022

Former spouses: Jemima Goldsmith and Reham Khan
Current spouse: Bushra Bibi
Children: Two sons — Sulaiman Isa Khan and Kasim Khan.

Imran Khan was already internationally famous as captain of Pakistan's 1992 Cricket World Cup-winning team before establishing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

He became prime minister following the 2018 general election.

Removal through no-confidence vote

In April 2022, opposition parties successfully passed a vote of no confidence against him.

He became the first Pakistani prime minister to lose office through a successful parliamentary no-confidence vote.

Toshakhana controversy

One of the most prominent cases after his removal concerned gifts received through Pakistan's Toshakhana, the state gift repository.

Al-Qadir Trust case

Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were convicted in 2025 in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. Reuters reported that the case concerned allegations involving land and the handling of money returned to Pakistan following a UK investigation. Khan has denied wrongdoing and says the cases against him are politically motivated.

Other cases

Khan has faced numerous legal cases following his removal. Some convictions have been suspended or overturned, while other proceedings have continued. For example, his state-secrets conviction was overturned on appeal and he and Bushra Bibi were acquitted in the unlawful-marriage case in 2024.

As of August 2026, Imran Khan remains imprisoned, and litigation concerning his imprisonment and medical treatment continues.

28. Shehbaz Sharif — First Term

Tenure: 11 April 2022 – 14 August 2023

Spouses: His publicly documented marriages include Nusrat Shehbaz and Tehmina Durrani; other marriages have also been reported in biographical accounts.
Children: Four children with Nusrat Shehbaz — Salman, Hamza, Javeria and Rabia.

Shehbaz Sharif is the younger brother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Before becoming prime minister, he served multiple terms as Chief Minister of Punjab and developed a reputation for focusing heavily on infrastructure and administrative projects.

First premiership

He became prime minister following Imran Khan's removal through the 2022 no-confidence vote.

His coalition government faced severe economic problems, inflation, political confrontation and difficult negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

Legal controversies

Shehbaz Sharif and members of his family have faced corruption and money-laundering allegations and investigations over the years.

These cases must be described with their legal outcomes and not simply presented as established corruption.

29. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar — Caretaker

Tenure: August 2023 – 4 March 2024. Pakistan's Cabinet Division records the caretaker cabinet from 17 August 2023 to 4 March 2024, while official PM chronology records the transition beginning in August 2023.

Kakar, a politician from Balochistan, became caretaker prime minister following the dissolution of the National Assembly.

His administration remained in place through the period leading to Pakistan's 8 February 2024 general election.

Controversies

Major debates during his caretaker period concerned the length and authority of the caretaker administration, economic policy, political restrictions and conditions surrounding the election process.

These were predominantly institutional and political controversies rather than a single proven personal corruption scandal.

30. Shehbaz Sharif — Second Term

Tenure: 4 March 2024 – Present, as of August 2026.

Following Pakistan's 2024 general election, Shehbaz Sharif returned as prime minister after securing sufficient support in the National Assembly through a coalition arrangement.

Reuters reported that he won the parliamentary vote for prime minister despite PML-N not independently holding a majority, relying on coalition support.

His second administration has focused heavily on economic stabilisation, IMF-related reforms, investment, energy-sector problems, taxation and management of Pakistan's fiscal difficulties.

Why Has Pakistan Had So Many Prime Ministers?

Pakistan's political history is unusual because the office of prime minister has repeatedly been interrupted.

Several factors contributed to this instability:

Military coups
Martial law
Presidential dismissal powers
Weak coalition governments
Civil-military tensions
Constitutional crises
Judicial intervention
Political party rivalry
Corruption allegations and investigations
No-confidence proceedings

Consequently, Pakistan's political chronology cannot be understood merely by counting prime ministers.

Has Any Prime Minister of Pakistan Completed a Full Five-Year Term?

This question requires an important distinction.

Individual prime ministers have repeatedly left office before completing a normal five-year parliamentary term because of assassination, dismissal, resignation, military coup, judicial disqualification, no-confidence votes or other political changes.

However, some elected parliaments/governments have completed constitutional cycles even though the individual occupying the prime minister's office changed during the term.

For example, the PPP-led government elected in 2008 completed its parliamentary cycle, but Yousaf Raza Gillani was replaced by Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

Therefore, "a government completing its term" and "the same prime minister personally serving an uninterrupted full term" are not necessarily the same thing.

Pakistan's First Prime Minister

Liaquat Ali Khan was Pakistan's first prime minister.

He assumed office immediately after independence in August 1947 and remained prime minister until his assassination on 16 October 1951.

Pakistan's First Female Prime Minister

Benazir Bhutto became prime minister in December 1988.

Her election was historically important not only for Pakistan but internationally because she became the first woman to lead the government of a Muslim-majority country.

She subsequently returned for a second term in 1993.

Pakistan's Three-Time Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif is notable for having become prime minister on three separate occasions:

1990
1997
2013

None of those premierships ended with him personally completing an uninterrupted five-year term.

First Prime Minister Removed by a No-Confidence Vote

Imran Khan lost the premiership after a successful no-confidence vote in the National Assembly in April 2022.

This differed significantly from earlier prime-ministerial removals involving presidential dismissal, military intervention, resignation or judicial disqualification.

Caretaker Prime Ministers of Pakistan

Pakistan has frequently appointed caretaker prime ministers to supervise transitional periods and general elections.

Notable caretaker prime ministers include:

Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi
Balakh Sher Mazari
Moeen Qureshi
Malik Meraj Khalid
Muhammad Mian Soomro
Mir Hazar Khan Khoso
Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar

The National Assembly includes caretaker prime ministers in its historical chronology of the office.

Major Political Families Connected to Pakistan's Premiership

The Bhutto Family

Two members of the Bhutto family have served as prime minister:

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto.

Benazir's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, later became President of Pakistan, while their son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari became chairman of the PPP and served as foreign minister.

The Sharif Family

Two brothers from the Sharif family have served as prime minister:

Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif.

Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz later became a major PML-N leader and Chief Minister of Punjab, while Shehbaz Sharif's son Hamza Shehbaz has also held senior political office.

Important Constitutional Observation

Pakistan's political history demonstrates that the formal constitutional powers of the prime minister cannot be studied separately from:

the presidency;
parliament;
the Supreme Court;
the military establishment;
provincial politics;
political parties; and
constitutional amendments.

At different periods, the balance of power between these institutions has changed dramatically.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

1. Who was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan?

Liaquat Ali Khan was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan. He served from August 1947 until his assassination on 16 October 1951.

2. Who is the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2026?

As of August 2026, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is the Prime Minister of Pakistan. His current term began on 4 March 2024.

3. Who was Pakistan's first female prime minister?

Benazir Bhutto became Pakistan's first female prime minister in 1988.

4. How many times was Benazir Bhutto prime minister?

She served twice: from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996.

5. How many times was Nawaz Sharif prime minister?

Nawaz Sharif became prime minister on three separate occasions: in 1990, 1997 and 2013. His first term also included a brief interruption and judicial restoration in 1993.

6. How many times has Shehbaz Sharif been prime minister?

Shehbaz Sharif has become prime minister twice: first in April 2022 and again in March 2024.

7. Who was Pakistan's prime minister before Shehbaz Sharif's current term?

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar served as caretaker prime minister before Shehbaz Sharif returned to office in March 2024.

8. Who was prime minister before Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar?

Shehbaz Sharif served as prime minister from April 2022 until August 2023.

9. Who was prime minister before Shehbaz Sharif in 2022?

Imran Khan served from 18 August 2018 until 10 April 2022.

10. Why was Imran Khan removed as prime minister?

His government lost a vote of no confidence in the National Assembly in April 2022.

11. Was Imran Khan removed by the military?

Formally, he lost office through a parliamentary no-confidence vote. Political arguments concerning the military's role in Pakistani politics are separate from the constitutional mechanism through which his premiership ended.

12. What is the Toshakhana case?

Toshakhana is Pakistan's state repository for gifts received by public officials from foreign governments and dignitaries. Imran Khan faced legal proceedings concerning gifts he received and subsequently retained or sold. Some related sentences were later suspended pending appeal.

13. What was the Panama Papers controversy involving Nawaz Sharif?

Documents released through the Panama Papers raised questions concerning offshore companies and assets connected to members of the Sharif family. Subsequent investigations and Supreme Court proceedings ultimately resulted in Nawaz Sharif's disqualification from the premiership in 2017.

14. Which Pakistani prime minister was executed?

Former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was executed in 1979 after being convicted in a murder-related case. His trial and execution became one of the most controversial judicial episodes in Pakistan's history.

15. Which Pakistani prime minister was assassinated while in office?

Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated in Rawalpindi in 1951 while serving as prime minister.

16. Which former female prime minister was assassinated?

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi on 27 December 2007 while campaigning ahead of elections.

17. Who was Pakistan's shortest-serving prime minister?

Nurul Amin's approximately 13-day premiership in December 1971 is generally regarded as the shortest regular premiership. Some caretaker/transitional arrangements also lasted only a short period.

18. Why was there no prime minister for long periods?

Pakistan operated under presidential and military systems during several periods. The office of prime minister was therefore abolished or suspended at various points, particularly following military takeovers.

19. Was Pervez Musharraf Prime Minister of Pakistan?

No. Musharraf ruled initially as Chief Executive following the 1999 coup and later as President. He was not a conventional prime minister. Pakistan's official historical list records him as Chief Executive for the relevant period.

20. Was General Zia-ul-Haq prime minister?

No. Zia was Chief Martial Law Administrator and later President. Muhammad Khan Junejo served as prime minister during part of Zia's presidency.

21. Which prime minister introduced Pakistan's 1973 Constitution?

The 1973 Constitution was adopted under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. After the new constitutional structure took effect, Bhutto became prime minister.

22. Which prime minister was associated with the Bogra Formula?

Muhammad Ali Bogra proposed the constitutional arrangement commonly known as the Bogra Formula.

23. Which Pakistani prime minister acquired Gwadar?

The transfer of Gwadar from Oman to Pakistan took place during the premiership of Feroz Khan Noon.

24. Who was prime minister during the 1971 breakup of Pakistan?

Nurul Amin briefly served as prime minister during the final days of the 1971 crisis. President Yahya Khan remained the dominant authority.

25. Has Pakistan had caretaker prime ministers?

Yes. Pakistan has repeatedly used caretaker governments to administer the country during election transitions.

Conclusion

The history of Pakistan's prime ministers is effectively a history of the country's struggle to define the relationship between parliamentary democracy, presidential authority, the judiciary and military power.

From Liaquat Ali Khan's appointment at independence in 1947 to Shehbaz Sharif's current administration, Pakistan has experienced assassinations, constitutional dismissals, military coups, caretaker governments, judicial disqualifications, corruption investigations, electoral controversies and a successful parliamentary no-confidence vote.

Official National Assembly records currently place Shehbaz Sharif as the latest and incumbent prime minister, following caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.

When studying allegations involving political leaders, readers should distinguish carefully between an allegation, investigation, indictment, conviction, acquittal, overturned conviction and final judicial determination. Political accusations should never automatically be presented as proven facts.

Information status: Updated through August 2026.

Primary chronology references: National Assembly of Pakistan, Cabinet Division of Pakistan and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.