Who was the first elected president of Pakistan? It sounds simple — but Pakistan has had three constitutions, and the answer depends on which one you mean. This guide gives you the full, honest answer.
Quick answer: Iskander Mirza was elected Pakistan’s first president by the Constituent Assembly in March 1956. The first president elected under the 1973 Constitution was Fazal Elahi Chaudhry (August 1973).
In this guide
The Short Answer
Iskander Mirza is Pakistan’s first president and its first elected president: the Constituent Assembly elected him in March 1956 when the first constitution came into force on 23 March. He had been governor-general before that — an appointed, not elected, office — so the presidency was his first elected position as head of state.
The Long Answer
The complication: Pakistan’s 1956 and 1962 constitutions were both abrogated, and the presidency under military rulers was not filled by election in any democratic sense. The 1973 Constitution — the one in force today — created the modern elected presidency (Article 41: election by the electoral college of parliament and provincial assemblies). The first president chosen under that system was Fazal Elahi Chaudhry, elected unopposed in August 1973 after Zulfikar Ali Bhutto moved to the prime ministership. So: first elected president ever — Iskander Mirza (1956); first elected under the current constitution — Fazal Elahi Chaudhry (1973). See how the president is elected for the modern procedure, and the 1st president guide for Mirza’s story.
Why the Confusion Persists
Textbooks and quiz books often give just one name, which is why this question trips people up. The clean way to remember it: 1956 → Mirza (first president, first republic), 1973 → Fazal Elahi Chaudhry (first president under the constitution we still use). If an exam asks without specifying, “Iskander Mirza” is the expected answer — but the examiner who knows the nuance will accept the distinction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Iskander Mirza elected or appointed?
Both, at different times. He was appointed governor-general (1955–56), then elected president by the Constituent Assembly in March 1956 — making him Pakistan’s first elected head of state.
Who elected Fazal Elahi Chaudhry?
The electoral college of parliament and the provincial assemblies under the 1973 Constitution, in August 1973. He was elected unopposed and served until September 1978.
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