Pakistan:Joint session of parliament: President set to make record 6th address

The Express Tribune

President Asif Ali Zardari is set to make history by addressing the joint session of Parliament for a record sixth time today (Monday). But while he may have done so on five prior occasions, it will be his first address to Parliament without his Pakistan Peoples Party in power. On the upside for President Zardari, however, he will not have to contend with a hostile opposition – at least in the National Assembly. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the main opposition party during the previous government’s tenure, routed the PPP in all but Sindh in the May 11 elections and has now come to power. In a reversal of fortunes, PPP now finds itself confined to the opposition benches in the lower house of Parliament. Today’s session will also mark two other firsts. Not only will it be the first formal session of the newly-elected National Assembly, it will be the first joint session of Parliament after the smooth transfer of power between two elected governments. In his address, President Zardari will give credit to his party for ensuring the democratic process flourished despite facing several challenges, said a senior official quoting a portion of the President’s speech. The President will also praise his off-and-on political rival Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for backing the democratic government and showing maturity, he added. According to sources, the speech has been written by senior presidential officials and vetted by presidential spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar. Talking to The Express Tribune, Babar said no input was taken from any other office, such as the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, while writing the speech. He did not, however, share the contents of the speech. “I should really not talk about contents of speech at this time. Yes, it [the speech] is historic in more ways than one,” he maintained. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Mushahidullah Khan praised the previous PPP government for putting the democratic process on the right footing. “It has been a reciprocal relationship between PPPP and PML-N for years [to strengthen democracy],” Khan said, adding “It’s a historic day for Parliament,” he added. According to constitutional provisions, the President has to address a joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the first session of the National Assembly after a general election or at the start of every parliamentary year. Article 56(3) of the Constitution states: “At the commencement of the first session of the National Assembly after each general election and at the commencement of the first session of each year, the President shall address both Houses assembled together and inform the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) of the causes of its summons.” Monday will also remain a busy day for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He will chair his first cabinet meeting, discussing issues relating to drone strikes, energy and the budget for the new fiscal year. He will also chair the meeting of the National Economic Council before attending the session.