Prime Minister of Pakistan departure of Pervez Musharraf allowed Asif Zardari to become President. In 2010, the XVIII Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed to reverse the XVII amendment; it returned the country to being a parliamentary democratic republic. In addition, the XVIII Amendment removed all powers of the presidency to dissolve the Parliament unilaterally and sweep away the powers amassed by the former presidents Pervez Musharraf and Zia-ul-Haq to maintain a delicate check and balance. Following a contempt of court case, the Supreme Court permanently disqualified Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani. Originally, the PPP nomination was Makhdoom Shahbuddin, but he was
Prime Minister of Pakistan forced to withdraw after the ANF issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf became the Prime Minister and remained in office until 2013. The general election held in 2013 saw the PML(N) almost achieve a supermajority. Following this, Nawaz Sharif was elected as Prime Minister, returning to the post for the third time after a fourteen-year absence, in a democratic transition. In 2017, Sharif was forced to step down as prime minister following corruption charges against him. On August 18, 2018, Imran Khan was sworn in as the country's 21st prime minister. The Constitution envisages a scheme of