“The chairman senate presides over the house when it debates and takes up government, private members and house business”. A Senator can be the holder of this office, and has to be voted by the majority of the Members.
The chairman is the custodian of the House of Federation and remains politically impartial at the time of discharging his duties. The Chairman represents both the opposition and treasury benches. In absence of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Chairman acts as the President.
Election of the Chairman
The Chairman is first amongst the equals as he is elected through a secret ballot system from the sitting members of Senate.
Politically impartial
Chairman must be politically impartial. Members are entitled to expect that, even though the Chairman belongs to and are nominated to the position by a political party, his or her functions will be carried out impartially. At the same time, a Chairman is entitled to expect support from all Members regardless of their party.
The Chairman’s representative role
The Chairman is the spokesperson for the House (in its relations with the other parts of the Parliament—the National Assembly and the President of Pakistan, the other arms of government—the Executive and the Judiciary, and with other outside bodies and people. In this role Chairman is expected to maintain the authority of the House, and to protect its rights and privileges.
In the Chair—the Chairman’s procedural role
As Presiding Officer the Chairman chairs the meetings of the House and ensures they are conducted in an orderly manner and according to the provisions of the Constitution and the Rules of procedure and conduct of Business in the Senate.
The Chairman must ensure that the rules of parliamentary procedure as embodied in the Senate Rules and practice of the House are applied. The Chairman interprets and applies the standing orders, responds to Members’ points of order relating to them and gives rulings on procedure when necessary.