Federal Cabinet

Pakistan came into being on 14th August 1947. The newly founded Government of Pakistan inherited part of the Federal Cabinet Secretariat from undivided India under the British Rule. Initially Federal Cabinet Division was established as Cabinet Secretariat and was located at Karachi, the then Capital of Pakistan, under a Secretary General to perform functions.

The Cabinet Secretary of Pakistan serves as the administrative head of the Federal Cabinet Division and reports directly to the Prime Minister. According to the Constitution of Pakistan, the Prime Minister may dismiss members of the cabinet, but must do so in writing, and new appointees must again be approved by the Parliament.

The cabinet meets weekly in Islamabad. The cabinet is granted constitutional power under Article 81D of the Constitution of Pakistan. The existence of the cabinet dates back to Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan, who appointed civil servants and statesmen to his first cabinet.

There shall be a Cabinet of Ministers, with the Prime Minister at its head, to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions. The Cabinet, together with the Ministers of State, shall be collectively responsible to the Senate and the National Assembly. A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of the National Assembly shall, at the expiration of that period.