Alvi, Awan discuss new parliamentary year

President Arif Alvi on Monday held a telephonic conversation with Adviser to the PM on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan and deliberated upon the beginning of the fourth parliamentary year and the joint sitting.

The call comes ahead of the president’s mandatory address to the joint sitting of both upper and lower houses of parliament to mark the new parliamentary year next month.

The session is also expected to discuss the evolving situation in neighbouring Afghanistan.

President Alvi, while appreciating Awan for his positive role in the legislative process, said that the last three parliamentary years were characterised by “historic legislation”.

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Awan said that the legislative process in the public interest would continue, adding that “according to the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the role of parliament would further strengthen”.

He said: “We will soon complete the legislative process in consultation with all stakeholders in Parliament.”

The mandatory presidential address has been long overdue. Last year, the president addressed the parliament’s joint sitting on August 20, but the National Assembly passed the motion of thanks on August 12 this year, the last day of the third parliamentary year.