[1][2] Pakistan was one of the realms of the Commonwealth of Nations that shared the same person as sovereign and head of state.

All laws in Pakistan were enacted only with royal assent, granted by the governor-general on behalf of the sovereign.

The governor-general was also responsible for summoning, proroguing, and dissolving the Federal Legislature.

All Pakistani ministers of the Crown held office at the pleasure of the governor-general.

The oath of allegiance taken by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the first governor-general, was as follows:[6] "I, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, do solemnly affirm true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of Pakistan as by law established and that I will be faithful to His Majesty King George VI, in the office of Governor General of Pakistan.