President Asif Ali Zardari is currently addressing a joint sitting of Parliament in Islamabad.
This is his ninth address to a joint session of Parliament in his capacity as president. His address was punctuated with cries from the opposition, who chanted, “Go, Zardari, go”.
President Zardari began his address by saying that it was his “singular privilege” to address the house for the ninth time at the beginning of the new parliamentary year.
“Each such address is a reminder of the continuity of the democratic system and the responsibility we carry as representatives of the people of Pakistan,” he said.
“The past year has reminded us that the strength of our republic lies in its Constitution,” he said.
“As we gather here today, we stand on the foundation laid by those who shaped our national journey,” he said. He said that the founder of the nation, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, had envisoned a “democratic state rooted in constitutionalism and the rule of law.
“The last time I was president, I unilaterally returned the powers given to the presidency back to the House of Parliament as envisioned in the 1973 Constitution, through the 18th Amendment,” he said.
“Today, the presidency stands as a symbol of unity … a bridge between federating units and a guardian of constitutional law,” he said.
He further said that the past ten months had tested the nation in “profound and complex ways”. He said that when the country’s sovereignty was challenged, Pakistan responded with “strategic restraint and firm resolve”.
He said that confronted with “unprovoked attacks on both our borders one after the other”, the armed forces responded with professionalism and discipline.
Talking about Marka-i-Haq, he said that they turned India’s attack on the motherland into a strategic victory.
“On the western border, when the Taliban regime ramped up a long line of attacks, on the night of Feb 26, our security forces acted decisively,” he said.
“The political leadership stood united; the people stood resolute,” he said. He expressed gratitude to the armed forces for defending the country’s border.
“It is because of their vigilance, bravery and service that we are sitting here secure in our workplace and homes,” he said. He said that the sacrifices of the country’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies in both conflicts could not be reduced to mere numbers.
“We only see their actions on the media with pride. We don’t really see their blood and sweat and tears that go into their training and service. Each operation reflects planning, discipline and restraint. Each martyr represents a family that has borne the ultimate [sacrifice] for Pakistan’s stability,” he said.
He said that 2025 marked a turning point for Pakistan, defined by the resounding military victory in Marka-i-Haq.
He also talked about occupied Kashmir, saying that nobody in South Asia would be free or safe until the Kashmiris won their freedom. He said that India’s leaders had said they were preparing for another war.
“As a life-long advocate for peace, I would not recommend it. At the same time, I will also say that any aggressor should prepare for another humiliating defeat; make no mistake, we are ready for you. Move away from warfare to meaningful negotiation. That is the only path for regional security,” he said.
“Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and understands the weight of that responsibility. At the same time, we are a state that defends itself when required. Our conduct reflects maturity, confidence and clarity of purpose,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is present for the president’s address. Further, the president’s son, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and daughter, MNA Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, are also present.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab Governor Haider Ali, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori are also in attendance, in addition to National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai.
More to follow
