ASIF ALI ZARDARI (FILE)
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari while addressing a joint session of parliament said we have to work with determination for the better future of Pakistan. We have to promote good governance and political stability and work together to strengthen our democratic system.
As soon as Speaker Ayaz Sadiq invited President Asif Zardari to address the joint session, opposition PTI members led by Omar Ayub started chanting slogans and made a rumpus in the house. Despite calls by the chair for order, the house presented the look of a fish market.
Zardari continued his address and said over the year, the country’s economy has stabilized, the policy rate has decreased, and a record increase in foreign exchange has been seen. The government’s efforts to put the country on a positive path of economic development are appreciated. He said foreign direct investment had increased significantly, the stock market also reached a historic high.
The government has reduced the policy rate from 22 percent to 12 percent, and other economic indicators have also improved.
The President said we have to pay more attention to the public service sector and further improve the tax system and pay special attention to the development of backward areas.
“Our people have attached their hopes to the parliament, we must meet the expectations of the people, work hard to strengthen the democratic system, restore people’s trust in the rule of law, work harder to put Pakistan on the path of prosperity.”
President Zardari said that the population structure of our country has changed, the lack of strategic thinking in the administrative machinery, the increase in population has multiplied the problems of governance, this House should take its responsibilities seriously.
“Let us put aside personal and political differences, let us work together to restore our economy, strengthen democracy and uphold the rule of law, let us strive to build a Pakistan that is just, prosperous and prosperous, let us make the best use of this parliamentary year.”
The President said that domestic and regional connectivity are fundamental to a prosperous Pakistan, requiring a strong and efficient transport infrastructure, road networks and modern railways. Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan are Pakistan’s strategic borders, which are indispensable to our national economy.
“I urge the federal and provincial governments to strengthen the agriculture sector. Agriculture is an important pillar of our economy, in which modern methods, better seed production are needed. By investment in agricultural research and development and creating employment opportunities by making the land more productive, we need to focus on more availability of water and its effective use.”
Zardari said Pakistan is one of the countries most affected by climate change. We should focus on biodiversity restoration, food conservation, water strategy and ecosystem protection, invest in renewable energy and electric vehicle development, Sindh’s mangroves are a shining example of what can be achieved through conservation efforts.
“I am happy to share that in Sindh we have planted two billion mangroves, mangroves have also brought substantial financial benefits through carbon credits to the Sindh government, we should actively replicate Sindh’s mangrove model and take advantage of the international carbon credit market.”
President Zardari also spoke about terrorism. Our security forces have sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism, we cannot allow terrorism to rise again.
He said Pakistan was committed to eradicating the menace of terrorism in collaboration with our nation and brave armed forces, successful intelligence-based operations resulted in dismantling of terrorist networks, the entire nation is proud of our security forces.
