Removal of President of Pakistan: Impeachment Under Article 47 Explained

Can Pakistan’s President be removed from office? Yes — but the Constitution makes it deliberately hard. This guide explains Article 47 step by step: the grounds, the notice, the joint sitting, the two-thirds vote — and the one time it nearly happened.

The Three Grounds

Article 47(1) allows removal or impeachment only on:

• Physical or mental incapacity — removal (not technically “impeachment”).
• Violating the Constitution — impeachment.
• Gross misconduct — impeachment.

Political disagreement, unpopularity or policy failure are not grounds. The bar is deliberately constitutional, not political.

The Five Steps, in Order

• Step 1 — Notice: not less than one-half of the total membership of either House (National Assembly or Senate) gives written notice to the Speaker or Chairman, setting out the particulars of the incapacity or charge. A Chairman-received notice is transmitted to the Speaker forthwith.
• Step 2 — Transmission: the Speaker sends a copy to the President within three days.
• Step 3 — Joint sitting: the Speaker summons both Houses to meet in joint sitting not earlier than 7 and not later than 14 days after receiving the notice.
• Step 4 — Investigation: the joint sitting may investigate (or have investigated) the ground or charge. The President has the right to appear and be represented.
• Step 5 — The vote: a resolution declaring the President unfit or guilty must pass by not less than two-thirds of the total membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament). On passage, the President ceases to hold office immediately.

The President’s Rights During the Process

The Constitution builds in due process: the President must be informed within three days, may appear personally or through counsel during the investigation and before the joint sitting, and can only be removed after the investigation’s results are considered. The two-thirds threshold — of total membership, not just those present — is among the highest bars in the Constitution.

2008: The Impeachment That Never Happened

The closest Pakistan came was August 2008. After the February elections, the PPP-led coalition finalised an impeachment charge sheet against President Pervez Musharraf — citing constitutional violations including the 2007 emergency. With the numbers against him, Musharraf resigned on 18 August 2008 in a televised address rather than face the joint sitting. Asif Ali Zardari was subsequently elected President. It remains the only serious invocation of Article 47.

Impeachment vs No-Confidence: Don’t Confuse Them

• President (Article 47): 1/2 of either House to initiate; 2/3 of Parliament in joint sitting to remove; grounds limited to incapacity, constitutional violation or gross misconduct.
• Prime Minister (Article 95): 20% of NA to initiate; simple majority of total NA membership to pass; no grounds needed — pure loss of confidence.

For the wider constitutional picture, see our minimum age for President pillar, minimum age for Prime Minister, and Article 41 age qualifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the President of Pakistan removed?

Under Article 47: notice by half of either House, joint sitting within 7–14 days, and a two-thirds vote of Parliament’s total membership on grounds of incapacity, constitutional violation or gross misconduct.

Has any President of Pakistan been impeached?

No. The only serious attempt was against Pervez Musharraf in August 2008 — he resigned before the motion reached a vote.

What is the difference between removal and impeachment of the President?

Removal covers physical or mental incapacity; impeachment covers charges of violating the Constitution or gross misconduct. Both follow the same Article 47 procedure.

Can the Supreme Court remove the President?

No. Removal is exclusively Parliament’s power under Article 47. Courts cannot remove a sitting President.