- Dissolve the National Assembly.
- Appoint the prime minister and the cabinet, with the powers to dismiss them.
- Appoint provincial governors.
- Dismiss chief ministers even when they enjoy the confidence of their assemblies.
- Preside over the National Security Council (NSC), which will have a formal role in all government decisions.
- Not hold elections within 90 days of dissolving the National Assembly, as required under the 1977 Constitution.