List of Prime Ministers of Pakistan (1947 - 2026): Full Tenure, Political Parties and Caretakers

The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the head of government and chief executive of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The office was established on August 14, 1947 following the partition of British India.

Despite Pakistan’s long political history no Prime Minister in the nation’s history has ever completed a full 5 year constitutional term. This is largely due to military coups, judicial disqualifications, and political instability.

Read more about who have been elected as the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and their tenures hereonwards for general knowledge. 

Quick Facts about Prime Ministers of Pakistan

• First Prime Minister: Liaquat Ali Khan (August 15, 1947 to October 16, 1951)
• Current Prime Minister: Shehbaz Sharif (2nd term, assuming office March 4, 2024)
• First and Only Female Prime Minister: Benazir Bhutto (1988 to 1990 and 1993 to 1996)
• Longest Consecutive Term: Liaquat Ali Khan (4 years, 63 days)
• Longest Cumulative Tenure: Nawaz Sharif (Served 3 non consecutive terms totaling over 9 years)
• Shortest Tenure (Elected): Nurul Amin (Served 13 days during the 1971 war)

Full List of Prime Ministers of Pakistan: From 1947 to 2026

Note that Caretaker Prime Ministers are appointed during national election transitions to ensure impartial governance as mandated by the Constitution of Pakistan.

Who is Current Prime Minister of Pakistan?

Source: India Today

The current Prime Minister of Pakistan is Shehbaz Sharif. He assumed office for his second term on March 4, 2024, following the general elections held in February 2024.

Sharif leads a coalition government comprising the Pakistan Muslim League (N), Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and Balochistan Awami Party .

In his current tenure, Prime Minister Sharif has been addressing significant challenges, including economic instability, political unrest, and heightened tensions with neighbouring India. Notably, in early May 2025, he convened a meeting of Pakistan's National Command Authority to discuss the country's nuclear posture amid escalating cross-border hostilities.

Why has No Prime Minister Completed 5 Year Term in Pakistan?

The parliamentary history of Pakistan has seen 24 Prime Ministers across 30 distinct terms but none have served a full continuous 5 year tenure due to three primary historical factors:

1. Military Interventions: Martial law was imposed in 1958, 1977, and 1999 which dissolved democratic governments.
2. Judicial Disqualification: Prime Ministers such as Yusuf Raza Gilani (2012) and Nawaz Sharif (2017) were removed prematurely following Supreme Court rulings.
3. No Confidence Votes: Imran Khan became the first Prime Minister in Pakistan's history to be removed via a successful Vote of No Confidence on April 10, 2022.

Constitutional Role of Pakistan’s Prime Minister 

Under the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan the Prime Minister serves as the Chief Executive of the country. The Prime Minister being selected by members of the National Assembly heads the Cabinet and advises the President on executive appointments along with managing domestic and national security policies.