ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain addressed the joint session of the parliament on Wednesday on the occasion of the commencement of the new parliamentary year.
He began his speech by congratulating the parliament to have completed three years and expressed hoped for the completion of the term of the government in spirit of democracy.
He said that to govern successfully, it is imperative for any government to understand the dynamics of individual populace and the state needs. He said that the governments who realize this and make the state and people their priority always succeed.
The president added that all political parties should formulate their policies based on this philosophy and strengthen the system.
He said that in modern times, economic performance serves as a good measure to evaluate any country’s progress. Quoting the statistics for Pakistan’s economy he said that our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 4.7% in the last fiscal year and along with it tax collection increased, budget deficit decreased and Pakistani Rupee also strengthened in value.
The president said that Pakistan’s economy is improving and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will add to that progress. He said that realistic policies and stability in their execution is the way to achieve economic advancement. He said, “Father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam said, ‘if we want to see Pakistan in the route to success, we need to make people and specially the poor people a priority’. Our government had been implementing policies to help the lees privileged members of the population and the students as well, such as laptop schemes. This is the only way to take Pakistan on the road to progress”.
The president reminded the government benches to make national benefits a priority over personal aims and also brought it to opposition’s notice that under the law opposition is not allowed to pressurize the elected government by any means. He insisted on the crucial importance of co-operation between the government and opposition to achieve stable and efficient economic policies. He said that no room is left for mistakes and both benches of the government need to work together. He added that if there is any grievance amongst the members of the government or opposition, it should be solved through negotiations and the benefits of the state must be kept in priority over individual interests of anyone else.
President Mamnoon said that many Central Asian countries have started preparing to gain benefits from CPEC. He said that he had been personally notified my many leaders about the arrangements they are making to benefit from this excellent economic opportunity. He said that Pakistan’s government and opposition need to work together to gain the maximum benefit from CPEC. The reservations that had been raised regarding CPEC are all baseless and the state needs to unite to ensure that no elements come in the way of CPEC providing maximum advantages to Pakistan’s economy. He added that the nations who fight among themselves lose out on the economy and have to seek help from other countries. However, the nations who work with unity strengthen their economy and make others bow to them.
The president hailed the sacrifices and services by the armed forces and lauded Operation Zarb-e-Azab. He announced the establishment of a national monument in remembrance and as a tribute to the martyrs of the operation and other services performed in defence of the nation and the county. He said that Operation Zarb-e-Azab will achieve its targets by the end of this year. The president also hailed the services of polio workers and said that those who had lost their lives in the polio eradication campaign are the true heroes of our country.
Speaking on the regional relations with other countries he said that Pakistan wishes to have peaceful and cordial relations with all its member countries. He said that Pakistan took positive and effective steps to achieve piece in the region. He added that Heart of Asia conference is part of the bigger aim of Afghan peace. He also said that Kashmir dispute is one of the biggest problems in the way of peace in the subcontinent and unless it is solved according to the United Nations resolution, it will continue to be a hurdle in the way of progress and peace in the region. He added that Pakistan’s relations with European Union have also improved.
The president’s speech was also attended by the three Forces’ Chiefs. Foreign Ambassadors were also present in the gallery of guests for the president’s speech.
