List of Presidents of Pakistan: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Pakistan from 1956 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Pakistan, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Pakistan: Asif Ali Zardari (in office since 2024).

Presidents of Pakistan in order, with years in office

Iskander Mirza

Served: 1956–1958

First president of Pakistan; he was forced out after he abrogated the constitution in 1958.

Ayub Khan

Served: 1958–1969

Army chief who took power in 1958 and resigned in March 1969.

Yahya Khan

Served: 1969–1971

Army chief who held office during the 1971 war and the independence of Bangladesh.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Served: 1971–1973

Became president in December 1971 and moved to the office of prime minister in August 1973.

Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry

Served: 1973–1978

Figurehead president under the 1973 constitution.

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq

Served: 1978–1988

Army chief who took power in 1977; he died in a plane crash in August 1988.

Ghulam Ishaq Khan

Served: 1988–1993

Senate chairman who succeeded Zia; he resigned in July 1993.

Wasim Sajjad

Served: 1993 (acting)

Senate chairman who acted as president for 119 days in 1993.

Farooq Leghari

Served: 1993–1997

Pakistan Peoples Party member who resigned in December 1997.

Wasim Sajjad

Served: 1997–1998 (acting)

Acted as president again from December 1997 to January 1998.

Muhammad Rafiq Tarar

Served: 1998–2001

Removed in June 2001 when Pervez Musharraf took the office.

Pervez Musharraf

Served: 2001–2008

Army chief who took power in 1999; he resigned as president in August 2008.

Muhammad Mian Soomro

Served: 2008 (acting)

Senate chairman who acted as president between Musharraf's resignation and Zardari's election.

Asif Ali Zardari

Served: 2008–2013

Widower of Benazir Bhutto; the first civilian president to complete a five-year term.

Mamnoon Hussain

Served: 2013–2018

Pakistan Muslim League (N) member who served a full term.

Arif Alvi

Served: 2018–2024

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf member who left office in March 2024.

Asif Ali Zardari

Served: 2024–present

Elected to a second term and took office on 10 March 2024.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Pakistan

Who is the current president of Pakistan?

The current head of state of Pakistan is Asif Ali Zardari, in office since 2024.

Who were the previous presidents of Pakistan?

The presidents and heads of state of Pakistan listed on this page, in order, are: Iskander Mirza, Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Wasim Sajjad, Farooq Leghari, Wasim Sajjad, Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, Pervez Musharraf, Muhammad Mian Soomro, Asif Ali Zardari, Mamnoon Hussain, Arif Alvi, Asif Ali Zardari.

Who was the first president of Pakistan?

Iskander Mirza was the first president of Pakistan, in office 1956–1958.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Pakistan; Express Tribune, Business Recorder and The News reports (checked Nov 2026). Heads of state since the 1956 constitution; the Governors-General of 1947–1956 are not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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