Ayaz Sadiq Assumes Office as Acting President of Pakistan as Zardari, Gilani Remain Abroad
ISLAMABAD — August 28, 2026: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has assumed the office of Acting President of Pakistan, temporarily taking over the constitutional responsibilities of the head of state as both President Asif Ali Zardari and Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani are currently outside the country.
The unusual constitutional arrangement came into effect because President Zardari is currently on an official visit to Austria, scheduled to continue from August 27 to 31, while Senate Chairman Gilani is also abroad on an official visit. Under Pakistan’s constitutional framework, the Senate chairman normally assumes the president’s functions when the president is unable to perform those duties. However, with Gilani also outside Pakistan, the responsibility has shifted to the National Assembly speaker.
Why Ayaz Sadiq Has Taken Charge
The development does not mean that President Zardari has resigned, been removed or been replaced. Rather, Ayaz Sadiq is performing the president’s functions on a temporary basis because both individuals who would ordinarily be involved in the constitutional succession arrangement are unavailable.
Pakistan’s Constitution provides a mechanism for temporarily performing the president’s functions when the president is unable to do so. The presidential provisions are contained in Articles 41 to 49, which form Chapter 1 of Part III of the Constitution.
The current situation is therefore an example of the constitutional continuity mechanism being activated rather than a change in Pakistan’s presidency.
Zardari Remains President
Asif Ali Zardari remains Pakistan’s elected president. He assumed office as the country’s 14th president in March 2024 and became the first civilian president to secure a second term in the office. The current arrangement only concerns the performance of presidential functions during his absence.
Zardari’s absence from the country is linked to his visit to Austria. According to reports, his trip began on August 27 and is expected to conclude on August 31.
What Happens When Both President and Senate Chairman Are Abroad?
The situation has attracted attention because Pakistan has previously seen the Senate chairman temporarily perform presidential duties when President Zardari travelled abroad. For example, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani assumed the role of acting president during Zardari’s absence in May 2024.
This time, however, Gilani is also outside the country. Consequently, Ayaz Sadiq has stepped into the role.
The arrangement is particularly significant because the National Assembly speaker is the third-highest constitutional office-holder in the parliamentary hierarchy after the president and Senate chairman in terms of this specific succession mechanism.
What Powers Does the Acting President Have?
While serving as acting president, Ayaz Sadiq performs the constitutional functions assigned to the president for the duration of the arrangement. This can include dealing with matters that legally require presidential action.
However, his assumption of the office should not be interpreted as a transfer of the presidency itself. The acting arrangement is temporary and exists to ensure that the constitutional responsibilities of the head of state continue without interruption.
The Constitution establishes the presidency as part of the federal structure of Pakistan, with presidential provisions covering the office, election, term, removal and related functions.
A Temporary Constitutional Arrangement
The development comes at a politically sensitive time for Pakistan, but there is currently no indication from the reports that the acting-president arrangement represents a political transition or constitutional crisis.
Instead, the situation is primarily administrative and constitutional: President Zardari is abroad, Senate Chairman Gilani is also abroad, and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has consequently assumed the role of acting president.
Once the constitutional circumstances requiring the temporary arrangement end, the acting role will cease and presidential functions will return to the elected president.
For now, Ayaz Sadiq’s assumption of office ensures that Pakistan’s presidency remains operational while the country’s elected head of state and Senate chairman are outside the country.