Pakistan’s current president is Asif Ali Zardari, who took the oath of office on 10 March 2024. It is his second time in Aiwan-e-Sadr — a first for any civilian in the country’s history. Here is everything current about the presidency as of October 2026.
Quick answer: The current president of Pakistan is Asif Ali Zardari (PPP), in office since 10 March 2024. His five-year term runs to March 2029. He is Pakistan’s 14th president and the only civilian elected twice.
In this guide
The Answer in Brief
Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, is the 14th President of Pakistan. He was elected on 9 March 2024 by the electoral college — 411 votes to 181 for PTI-backed Mahmood Khan Achakzai — and sworn in the next day by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa at Aiwan-e-Sadr, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in attendance. Full biography: Asif Ali Zardari.
Term Details
- Took office: 10 March 2024
- Term length: 5 years (Article 44 of the Constitution)
- Term ends: March 2029 (eligible for one re-election)
- First Lady: Aseefa Bhutto Zardari (his daughter, since March 2024)
- Predecessor: Dr Arif Alvi (2018–2024)
What the President Actually Does
Since the 18th Amendment, the presidency is Pakistan’s ceremonial head of state: the president summons parliament, addresses it yearly, assents to bills, appoints governors, the chiefs of the armed forces, the chief justice and judges (on advice), and grants pardons. Executive authority rests with the prime minister — see the prime minister list. Zardari’s influence in practice flows as much through his PPP leadership as through the office itself.
What to Watch
Zardari’s term runs to March 2029. Two things will shape its remainder: the PPP’s position in the coalition — the presidency was the party’s price for supporting Shehbaz Sharif’s government — and the president’s constitutional duties around legislation and appointments. Any midterm political crisis would put Aiwan-e-Sadr at the centre, as the presidency has been in every previous one. This guide is updated as events develop.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Zardari’s current term end?
March 2029, five years after his 10 March 2024 oath. The Constitution allows a president to be re-elected once for a second consecutive term.
Who was president before Zardari?
Dr Arif Alvi (PTI), who served from 9 September 2018 to 9 March 2024 — staying five months beyond his term because the electoral college could not meet until after the February 2024 general election.
