Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari, in his address to the Joint Sitting of Parliament at the start of the new parliamentary year, urged to rise above personal and political differences for the sake of reviving the economy, strengthening democracy, and ensuring the rule of law.
He called on parliamentarians to focus on fostering good governance, political stability, and economic growth, emphasizing that the people of Pakistan are counting on their leaders to fulfill these goals.
President Zardari commended the government’s efforts in steering the country toward a positive trajectory in terms of economic growth.
He noted that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves had increased, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) had seen a significant rise, and the stock market had reached an all-time high. He also mentioned that the reduction in the policy rate and the general improvement in key economic indicators are signs of a healthy recovery.
The president also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to defeating terrorism, acknowledging the nation’s bravery and the sacrifices made by the armed forces. He called for strengthening security and law enforcement agencies to better address the ongoing threat posed by terrorism, which is often fueled by external support.
President Zardari paid tribute to the security forces, expressing pride in their unwavering dedication.
Discussing foreign relations, Zardari highlighted the recent successful counterterrorism cooperation between the US and Pakistan, stressing the importance of building on these successes to further enhance joint efforts.
He also underscored Pakistan's intention to strengthen ties with regional partners, particularly in trade, economy, and cultural exchanges, positioning the country as a responsible and peace-loving member of the international community.
The President reiterated Pakistan's commitment to its enduring relationship with China, emphasizing the importance of deepening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and supporting the One-China Policy.
He also expressed gratitude for the support of countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkiye, which have stood by Pakistan in difficult times.
Zardari further vowed to strengthen Pakistan's relationships with the Gulf, Central Asia, the European Union, the UK, and the US.
On the issue of Kashmir, President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, condemning the atrocities committed by Indian forces in the region.
He called on the international community to take decisive action to address the ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir. The President also reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast position on Palestine, advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, which he argued is essential for long-term peace in the region.
Turning to domestic issues, Zardari emphasized the need to modernize the agricultural sector to boost productivity and improve food security.
He urged both federal and provincial governments to focus on sustainable water management and to implement measures that address the challenges posed by climate change.
The president also called for greater investment in renewable energy and electric vehicles as part of a broader strategy to promote economic growth.
In his address, President Zardari raised concerns about the government's unilateral actions, warning that they were putting significant strain on the federation.
He specifically criticized the decision to extract additional canals from the Indus River system without securing the agreement of all federating units.
"As the president of Pakistan, it is my constitutional duty to caution this House that some of your one-sided policies are straining the federation. The unilateral decision to extract further canals from the Indus River system, despite strong opposition from federating units, is concerning. I cannot support this proposal in my capacity as president," he stated.
President Zardari urged the government to reconsider its current plan, urging them to engage with all relevant stakeholders in order to develop a sustainable solution that everyone could agree on.
He also highlighted the necessity of improving governance, initiating economic reforms, and creating more jobs to address public dissatisfaction.
"This House must focus on improving governance and political and economic stability. The people have placed their hopes in this parliament, and we must meet their expectations," he remarked.
Recognizing the financial challenges faced by ordinary citizens, especially workers and salaried individuals, the president urged the government to introduce relief measures in the next budget.
He called for an increase in salaries and pensions, a reduction in income taxes for the salaried class, and lower energy costs to help ease the burden on the public.
He advocated for a broader approach, ensuring all eligible taxpayers contributed.
In terms of economic reform, Zardari stressed the importance of diversifying exports, with a particular focus on value-added goods and services.
He suggested that the IT sector could play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, pushing for the development of Pakistan’s digital economy to open up new markets and improve competitiveness.
Despite President Zardari’s message of unity, the session was interrupted by protest from opposition members, who relentlessly chanted slogans, signaling their strong discontent with the government’s policies.
The session was marked by the participation of several prominent political figures, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, alongside various federal ministers.
A notable number of foreign diplomats were also present in the guest gallery, observing the proceedings.
As the session drew to a close, members of the opposition continued to voice their protests, challenging the government's stance.
In response, the ruling party emphasized that the speech presented by the president highlighted the nation’s most pressing issues and outlined a clear strategy for addressing them.
Following the president’s speech, the session was adjourned indefinitely.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed President Asif Ali Zardari to Parliament House, marking the beginning of this crucial address.
