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Summary
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday recalling repeated suspension of Constitution by undemocratic forces in the past that gravely undermined the federation, urged the parliament to pass the 18th constitutional amendment bill without delay.The people of Pakistan are keenly watching and waiting for this crucial reforms bill to pass. This initiative must lead to new beginnings, the President said in his address to the joint sitting of Senate and National Assembly here at the Parliament House. It was President Zardaris third address to parliaments joint sitting, since he assumed office in 2008, a day ahead of the discussion in National Assembly on the 18th Amendment Bill, to cut down the Presidents power, give more autonomy to provinces and rename the NWFP province to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The amendments will make the Constitution, truly democratic and federal in character, and restore provincial rights and parliamentary sovereignty, he said. The President who was visibly glad termed it a Benazir day, a Benazir moment as it was enshrined in her philosophy and in her idea for Pakistan. Indeed, it is a milestone in the struggle of the people, he said. President Zardari said the country could have achieved much more, had the democratic process not been repeatedly buried and the Constitution not dismissed with contempt of treating it as a mere 15-page document. President Zardari said the history of the Constitution was a history of subversion. The President urged all pillars of the state to work within their constitutional limits to bring true democracy and parliamentary sovereignty to the country. The President congratulated all those who were part of the process that led to bring about the first major constitutional reform in more than three decades. He said previously there had been piecemeal constitutional amendments, mostly to legitimize unelected leaders and not for the cause of the people.This indeed is a great achievement of the democratic process that has begun to take root.President Zardari said the tabling of the amendment was a demonstration of the power of a democratic government in action. President Zardari congratulated the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms, the Parliament and the nation on laying of the bill, for displaying a true national spirit in an unprecedented show of national solidarity. He specifically appreciated Law Minister Dr Babar Awan for extending cooperation to the Parliamentary Committee and the commitment and hard work put in by Mian Raza Rabbani on constitutional reforms.The President recalled that two years ago, standing at the same place, he had urged the Parliament to revisit the 17th Amendment and do away with Article 58(2)(b), and urged the Speaker National Assembly to form All Parties Committee for this purpose. He said, We have honoured our pledge to restore the supremacy of the Parliament. Zardari said the first Constitution given to the people in 1973 by the political leaders of the time, led by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the Pakistan Peoples Party, was based on parliamentary democracy, federalism and Islamic principles. He said the following five years brought rapid progress to the nation such as growth in economy, getting right to passport, introduction of fundamental rights, women emancipation, provincial status of Balochistan, autonomy of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, signing of Simla Accord in 1972 that brought back Pakistani prisoners of war and the establishing of nuclear programme.He said in line with her philosophy in November last year, he gave up the National Command Authority, and placed it under the Parliament through the Prime Minister, although he was neither asked nor required to do so. We are all answerable to history, the President said. President Zardari said he believes in reconciliation, and not confrontation. He said the Constitutional Reforms Package was not a favour to anyone. President Zardari said the government had inherited an ailing economy compounded by the neglect of power sector, circular debt, global recession, rising militancy and extremism; and a crisis of confidence.He said time and history has placed a great responsibility and we have to give solutions and move on.He said he realizes the economic burden on the nation and was fully aware that prices have risen, and incomes squeezed. But I am confident that we will overcome the challenges left to us by the previous regimes, the President said. He mentioned the number of significant measures the government has taken and said after long years, the NFC Award was finalized with consensus.I congratulate the government for once again making history. The President said he had the honour of addressing the Parliament twice in one year and recalled that he had urged the setting up of a Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan in his second address.He said the Aghaz-i-Huqooq Balochistan has been announced, the government has set up a Commission on Missing Persons, political reforms have been launched, in Gilgit Baltistan, a woman has been appointed Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan in the name of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Council of Common Interests reconstituted. He mentioned the interest free loan of Rs 300,000 under the Waseela-e-Haq that was being given to the female head of the family, with a view to empower mothers and sisters as a first step towards a welfare state. President Zardari said crippling power shortage had slowed down economic and industrial growth, however the government realized the sufferings of people. We are painfully aware of the darkness it spreads, how children study by candlelight, and how the wheels of industry often stop, he said.He mentioned that how the independent power projects launched by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto were made controversial similar to the Rental Projects as the government was making efforts to address the problem with the help of private sector. He said the construction of Neelum Power Project in Azad Kashmir had started and the work on Bhasha Dam had also been launched, which will generate 4500 MW of power, and store over 6.5 million acre feet of water. He said the government was mindful of the water issue and mentioned that for the first time, a Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Water had been appointed. The President said the government has raised the issue with India and will continue to highlight it at every international forum, within the terms of Indus Water Treaty. He said the government was also addressing water issues between the provinces and said 32 small and medium dams will be built in the country, while work on three dams had already started.He said for the first time, state land in their command areas would be irrigated and distributed free among the women of that area, adding that agriculture was being revolutionized through hybrid seed, improved technology and high intensity cultivation. On women and minority issues, President Zardari said the government enacted legislation against the harassment of women at their workplaces. He said efforts are continuing to draw the minorities into the mainstream of national life. The blasphemy law will not be allowed to be misused, against any one for settling personal and political scores, he added. Zardari said the government believes in transparent accountability of all, which is across the board and not selective. He expressed satisfaction that after consultations with the stakeholders, the reforms in FATA and amendments to the FCR had been finalized, which will be soon implemented. The President said the UN Commission of Inquiry on the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto will be submitting its report very soon. He called militancy and extremism the greatest threat to the national security in recent times.He expressed the resolve to fight militancy to the finish. He commended the Ministry of Interior led by Rahman Malik for its courage in confronting militancy.The President said our brothers and sisters working abroad are a source of great strength and they need to be recognized and honored.Mr.Zardari said Pakistan seeks a stable regional environment and believes in investing in relationships. He said that measures have been taken to promote peace and stability in brotherly Afghanistan. Pakistan has improved its relations with all countries in the region, the President said and added that for a durable peace it considers it essential to normalize relations with India. The President said partnerships with the United States and Europe have strengthened over the past year and for the first time the Pakistan-EU Summit was held which was addressed by the head of state.This is in sharp contrast to the isolation we inherited, he added. The President said that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom wrote to the heads of the European Union requesting them to address urgently our concerns about market access. The President thanked Prime Minister Gordon Brown for this.President Zardari said the strategic dialogue with the United States is aimed at addressing core issues of Pakistan. Mian brothers were physically absent but were logically present, says Mujib Ur Rehman Shami Famous analyst Mujib ur Rehman Shami speaking to Dunya News said President's speech addressed wide range of issues including good governance; he tried to convince the people that he is closely monitoring the situation.The 1973 constitution was the third constitution not the first one. Mian brothers were physically absent but were involved in the Constitution Reform so they logically on board, Shami added. President played beautiful shot to cover Babar Awan, says Sheikh Rasheed Awami Muslim League head Sheikh Rashid was speaking to Dunya News he said todays speech marks a big day and in the history of democracy. Sharif brothers were present in Islamabad but they did not bother to attend the joint session. Body language indicates the attitude of the Mian brothers.Sheikh Rasheed said President has played a beautiful shot to cover Babar Awan.Sheikh Rasheed pointed that President was referring to inflation and the hardships of the people however on other hand POL prices have also been increased today.Solid steps should be taken instead of just making statements. However I appreciate the fact that all parties were on board on the Constitutional Reform, and I was also impressed by the stance of the house adopted on the water issue, Sheikh Rasheed added. President appreciated Babar Awan for his work on Swiss cases, says Arif NazamiSenior analyst speaking to Arif Nizami Dunya News said that Babar Awan has done a good job on Swiss case after the resignation of attorney journal so he was appreciated by the President.Arif said It is the duty of the President to inform the performance of the Parliament, however President did not address the issue of national consensus. The speech addressed the issues of elites only, says Dr. Abdul Hayee Baloch National Party leader Dr Abdul Hayee speaking to Dunya News said that it was a traditional speech where the President praised his governments performance. He did not refer to the basic problems of President. Hayee said the 1973 Constitution did not address the issues of Balochis so I did not sign the constitution even then and I still find that the basic issues of Balochistan are being neglected.The speech addressed the issues of elites only. No focus on the state terrorism, inflation, unemployment, Hayee told the channel.
