Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, Pakistan

The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. Under Article 108 of the Constitution of Pakistan, each Provincial Assembly elects a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from among its members immediately after the Assembly is first constituted. The Speaker chairs sittings, applies the Rules of Procedure, maintains order, and represents the Assembly institutionally.

Election is by secret ballot of the members of the Assembly at its first sitting after a general election. The Speaker holds office for the duration of the Assembly unless they resign, are removed by a resolution of the House, cease to be a member, or the Assembly is dissolved. Removal requires notice and a resolution passed by a majority of the total membership under the Constitution.

The Speaker presides over sittings and decides all points of order; interprets the Rules of Procedure; puts questions to the House and declares results; certifies bills after passage; regulates the admissibility of motions, questions and privilege matters; refers matters to standing committees; and, under Article 53 read with Article 127, exercises functions in relation to the acting Governor and administration of the House. When the Speaker is absent, the Deputy Speaker presides.

By convention the Speaker acts impartially between the treasury and opposition benches, does not participate in day-to-day political controversy from the Chair, and only votes in the case of an equality of votes on a question. The Speaker also chairs the Business Advisory Committee, oversees the Assembly Secretariat, and is responsible for the security and dignity of the House precinct.