The governor of Punjab (Punjabi/Urdu: گورنر پنجاب, romanized: Gavarnar Panjāb) is the head of province of the Pakistani province of Punjab. Appointed by the federal government through the president of Pakistan, the governor serves a nominal and ceremonial role as head of province and executive, with real executive authority exercised by the elected chief minister and their appointed cabinet; and administrative authority by the chief secretary, the senior-most bureaucrat in the province, who reports to the chief minister.
However, throughout the history of Pakistan, the powers of the provincial governors were vastly increased, when the provincial assemblies were dissolved and the administrative role came under direct control of the governors, as in the cases of martial laws of 1958–1972 and 1977–1985, and governor rules of 1999–2002. In the case of Punjab, there was direct governor rule in 1949–1951, when the provincial chief minister of that time was removed and assemblies dissolved.
Executive Powers related to appointment, removal , oath taking etc.
Legislative powers related to provincial assembly of Punjab.
Judicial powers related to Lahore High Court or judiciary.
Governor is ceremonial and appointed head of Province. He is appointed by President on advice of Prime Minister of Pakistan. All executive powers are exercised by Chief Minister and cabinet on his behalf. He is bound to act on the advice of the Chief Minister and cabinet. He serves until removed by the President on the advice of Prime Minister.
Governor is chancellor of public sector universities in Punjab. As chancellor , he appoints Vice Chancellors of public sector universities. He can take action against employees of universities for any unlawful acts.
He appoints provincial ministers on advice of Chief Minister amongst members of provincial assembly of Punjab.
He appoints care taker chief minister after consultation with Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition.
He appoints care-taker cabinet on advice of care-taker chief minister.
This is constitutional obligation of provincial government to kept him inform on all matters of provincial administration and legislative proposals bring before provincial assembly.
He has constitutional authority to invite chief minister to obtain vote of confidence from majiority members of provincial assembly. If he fails he can remove him from post of chief minister. He can exercise this power only when he is satisfied that chief minister has lost confidence of members of provincial assembly.
He appoints Advocate General of Punjab on advice of Chief Minister.
He appoints chairman of Punjab Public Service Commission on advice of Chief Minister.
He can exercise executive powers directly without advice of the chief minister but during governor rule. Governor rule is imposed by President on advice of Prime Minister in emergency situations i.e. financial emergency, constitutional breakdown and when there is threat of war and external aggression.
He take oath from elected and care taker chief minister and members of cabinet
All bills passed by provincial assembly of Punjab becomes acts only when assented by Governor or deemed to be assented after passage of certain time according to constitution.
Governor can refuse to sign the bills if he thinks that there is any issue or a bill is not according to constitutional provisions. If the bill is again passed by the provincial assembly with or without amendment, the governor is bound to assent the bill. If he again refuses to sign the bill, it automatically becomes act after passage of certain time, according to the constitution.