<P> The Prime Minister of Pakistan (Urdu: وزِیرِ اعظم پاکِستان ‬ ‎ ‬ ‎--Wazīr - ē - Āzam, Urdu pronunciation: (ʋəˈziːr - ˌeː ˈɑː. zəm); lit . "Grand Vizier") is the head of government of Pakistan and designated as the "chief executive of the Republic". The Prime Minister leads the executive branch of the government, oversees the economic growth, leads the National Assembly, heads the Council of Common Interests as well as the Cabinet, and is vested with the command authority over the nuclear arsenals . This position places its holder in leadership of the nation and in control over all matters of internal and foreign policy . The Prime Minister is elected by the members of the National Assembly and therefore is usually the leader of the majority party in the parliament . The Constitution of Pakistan vests the executive powers in the Prime Minister, who is responsible for appointing the Cabinet as well as running the executive branch, taking and authorising executive decisions, appointments and recommendations that require executive confirmation of the Prime Minister . </P> <P> Constitutionally, the Prime Minister serves as the chief adviser to President of Pakistan on critical matters and plays an influential role in appointment in each branch of the military leadership as well as ensuring the control of the military through chairman joint chiefs . Powers of the Prime Minister have significantly grown with a delicate system of the check and balance by each branch . The position was absent during years of 1960--73 and 1977--85 due to imposed martial law . In each of these periods, the military junta led by the President had the powers of the Prime Minister . </P> <P> Imran Khan has held the office of Prime Minister since 18 August 2018, following the outcome of nationwide general elections held on 25 July 2018 . </P> <P> The office of the Prime Minister was created on immediate effect after the partition and the establishment of Pakistan in 1947; the Prime Minister existed alongside the Governor - General who was the representative of the British Monarchy . The first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, exercised central executive powers until his assassination in 1951 . However, the powers slowly began to be reduced as a result of constant intervention by the Governor - General . Despite the first set of the Constitution giving central power in 1956, the next six prime ministers were dismissed by the Governor - General from 1951 till 1957 . In addition, the first set of the Constitution had evolved the Governor - General into the President of Pakistan whilst declaring the country an "Islamic republic". In 1958, President Iskandar Mirza dismissed the seventh prime minister to impose martial law in a mere two weeks, President Mirza was ousted by army chief General Ayub Khan who had for a brief period held the post of Prime Minister . </P>

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