ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari is set to address a joint session of Parliament on March 2 at the start of the new parliamentary year. The National Assembly Secretariat issued a notification on Wednesday announcing the president’s decision, which comes in line with the Constitution’s provisions for convening both Houses of parliament.
Zardari approved the summary for convening this assembly earlier and had stated that the session would be held at 3 PM on March 2. However, the National Assembly Secretariat revised this time to 10:30 AM upon issuing its final notification. This joint sitting will continue a long-standing tradition in Pakistan where both Houses of Parliament assemble for the start of each new parliamentary year.
The importance of this meeting is underscored by Article 56 of the Constitution, which mandates that the president must address both Houses at the beginning of every parliamentary session. It’s anticipated that Zardari’s speech will outline national priorities, democratic stability, constitutional supremacy, and sustainable economic development during his ninth such appearance as president.
The President’s remarks are likely to encompass regional and global dynamics, including ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and his firm commitment to eliminating it. There is also speculation that he could be critical of the current government, reflecting his previous stances where he has criticized certain policies and complained about its decision-making process not involving key allies like the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
This session promises to be a crucial opportunity for Zardari to reinforce his stance on several fronts: from advocating national priorities and economic strategies to addressing concerns around terrorism. His address will also provide insights into whether he intends to offer any form of criticism towards the current administration, following past criticisms and dismissals of government legislation without his endorsement.
As parliamentarians prepare for this event, there’s anticipation regarding how Zardari might navigate both diplomatic challenges and domestic expectations in his upcoming speech.