President of Azad Kashmir

The president of Azad Kashmir (Urdu:, romanized: s̤adr-i Azād Kaṣhmīr lit. 'President of Azad Kashmir', Urdu pronunciation: [s̤ə'dr-e: a:'za:d kə'ʂmi:r]), officially the president of the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is the constitutional and ceremonial head of state of Azad Kashmir.

The president is elected by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for terms of 5 years under the provisions of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (Interim Constitution) Act, 1974.

Powers of President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Executive Powers related to appointment, removal, issuing orders and oath taking.

Judicial Powers related to Supreme Court and High Court of Azad Kashmir.

Legislative Powers related to Legislative Assembly of state.

Emergency Powers related to emergency.

Executive Powers
He is constitutional and ceremonial head of state. All executive powers are exercised by Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir consisting of Prime Minister and cabinet on his behalf. He is bound to act on the advice of the Prime Minister or cabinet.

He is Vice Chairman of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council.

The President may, on advice of the Prime Minister, make rules for carrying out the purpose of the Constitution.

He can promulgate orders on advice of Prime Minister, Ministers or relevant authority.

He appoints senior most minister as Prime Minister in absence of Prime Minister due to death, resignation or removal of Prime Minister or any other reason.

He appoints Plebiscite Adviser in state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He appoints Advocate General of state on advice of Prime Minister.

He appoints Auditor General in state on advice of Chairman of Council.

He appoints Chief Election Commissioner after consultation with Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition.

He appoints Members and Chairman of Council of Islamic Ideology on advice of Prime Minister.

He appoints Chairman of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission on advice of Prime Minister.

As a Chancellor of Public sector Universities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, he appoints Vice Chancellors of that universities on recommendation of relevant authority.

He take oath from Prime Minister and members of cabinet including Ministers and Advisers.

Judicial Powers
He appoints Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

He appoint Chief Justice of High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He appoints Judges of Supreme Court and High Court on advice of Council.

He appoints Acting Chief Justice of Supreme Court and High Court in absence of Chief Justice and may also appoints additional Judges of High Court and also ad hoc judges of Supreme Court and High Court of state.

The Aalim Judge of Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of High Court.

He can remove Judges of Supreme Court and High Court of state on recommendations of Supreme Judicial Council.

If, at any time, the Chairman of the Council or the President desires to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on any question of law which he considers of public importance, he may refer the question to the Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir for reconsideration.

President shall have power to grant pardons, reprieves and respites and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority.

He also take oath from Chief Justice of Supreme Court and High Court of Azad Kashmir.

Legislative Powers
Every Bill can become act only when the President of the state assents it or deemed to be assented after passage of certain time.

He can summon and prorogue sessions of Legislative Assembly of State.

He can dissolve Legislative Assembly on advice of Prime Minister.

He can promulgate ordinances when he is satisfied that Legislative Assembly is not in session on advice of Prime Minister or cabinet.

The President may address the Assembly and send massages to the Assembly.

All proceedings of the Assembly shall be conducted in accordance with Rules of Procedure made by the Assembly and approved by the President.

The Speaker of the Assembly may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the President.

He signs finance bill approved by Legislative Assembly of state.

He signs constitutional amendment bill of state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Emergency Powers
According to Article 53 of Interim Constitution of AJK, President can issue proclamation of Emergency on advice of Chairman of Council when the security of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is threatened by war or external aggression or by internal disturbances.

He can suspend fundamental rights of citizens of State during Emergency is in force.

List of presidents
The following individuals have served as president of Azad Kashmir.