ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari’s fifth address to Parliament was lauded by ruling and allied lawmakers alike.
It was an historic event in the parliamentary history of the country and the roadmap given by President Zardari will be followed in letter and spirit, said Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan while talking to the media after the address.
The government will complete its tenure which will strengthen democratic institutions, she said.
Referring to the opposition’s protests during the address, Awan said that “Pakistan Peoples Party believes in practical steps rather than hollow slogans.”
“It was the PPP which pursued politics of reconciliation and harmony and has worked hard to evolve consensus, which was almost impossible for others,” Awan said.
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said the presidential address was ‘a gleaming moment for Parliament,’ adding that ‘history will remember this achievement.’
Muttahidda Qaumi Movement’s lawmaker Wasay Jalil termed it “a positive move on the path to democracy,” but refused to share any observations on the address until, he said, the party’s demand – bringing extortion in Karachi to an end – is met.
Awami National Party leader and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti said the presidential address to the joint sitting of Parliament was “a momentous milestone achieved by this democratically-elected government”.
The fifth consecutive speech of the president will strengthen democracy, democratic institutions and Parliament, he added.
Parliamentarians from the federally-administered tribal areas (Fata) said they were “grateful to the president for mentioning the Fata region as his top preference.”
They added that they would stand by the president in achieving all national objectives.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2012.
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