Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan: Role & Current Speaker

The Speaker runs Pakistan’s National Assembly — controlling debates, deciding points of order, and casting the deciding vote in a tie. The current Speaker is Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, in office since 1 March 2024. Here is the role explained and the office-holder profiled.

The Current Speaker

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) was elected Speaker of the 16th National Assembly on 1 March 2024, defeating the Sunni Ittehad Council’s candidate. A veteran parliamentarian from Lahore, this is his second stint as Speaker — he previously held the office from 2013 to 2018, making him one of the few to chair the house twice. His election, like the Deputy Speaker’s the same day, formalised the PML-N-led coalition’s control of the house.

Powers & Duties

• Presides over sittings: maintains order, allots speaking time, rules on points of order — the Speaker’s ruling is final in the house.
• Certifies money bills and decides whether a bill is a money bill.
• Casting vote: votes only to break a tie.
• Summons sessions on the President’s/PM’s advice and constitutes standing committees.
• Succession: if the presidency falls vacant, the Senate Chairman acts first, then the Speaker.
• Expected to act impartially once in the chair, despite party affiliation.

How the Speaker Is Elected

After each general election, the newly elected MNAs vote by secret ballot to choose the Speaker and Deputy Speaker — the first business of the new Assembly. A simple majority of members present and voting wins. The Speaker can be removed by a majority resolution of the total membership.

The Deputy Speaker

Ghulam Mustafa Shah of the PPP was elected Deputy Speaker on 1 March 2024 alongside Sadiq — the coalition’s power-sharing in action (PML-N takes the Speakership, PPP the deputyship). The Deputy presides whenever the Speaker is absent.

More: National Assembly seats guide · Leader of the Opposition · Parliament of Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the current Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan?

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of the PML-N, elected on 1 March 2024 as Speaker of the 16th National Assembly. It is his second time holding the office.

Who is the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly?

Ghulam Mustafa Shah of the PPP, elected Deputy Speaker on 1 March 2024.

What are the powers of the Speaker of the National Assembly?

The Speaker presides over sittings, maintains order, rules on points of order, certifies money bills, casts a deciding vote in ties, constitutes committees and is in the line of presidential succession.