General Pervez Musharraf assumed office of the President of Pakistan on 12th October 1999. After fulfilling his commitment to the people of Pakistan to hold general elections in the country on 10th October 2002, he transferred the powers of Chief Executive to the newly elected Prime Minister. On restoration of the Constitution, he was administered fresh oath of office of President on 31st October 2002.
The President is elected by members of both Houses of the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies. The President may be removed from office or impeached through a resolution, passed by not less than two-thirds of the total membership of theParliament in a joint sitting of the two Houses, convened for the purpose
The Constitution empowers the President to dissolve the National Assembly in his discretion if a situation has arisen in which the Government of the Federation cannot be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and an appeal to the electorate is necessary. However, the Senate is not subject to dissolution.
In case the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason, the Chairman of the Senate, or if he is unable to perform the functions of the office of the President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, acts as President till such time that a President is elected. Same is the case when the President by reason of absence from Pakistan or any other cause is unable to perform his functions.