Zardari calls for joint parliament session

President to address both houses on April 16

ISLAMABAD:

 

President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a joint session of parliament during which the ceremonial head of the state will deliver a speech.

The session, scheduled for Tuesday, April 16 at 4 pm, will mark the beginning of the parliamentary year, as per a press release issued by the President House on Monday.

Zardari will address the joint session in accordance with Article 56(3) of the Constitution.

Article 56(3) states, "At the commencement of the first session after each general election to the National Assembly 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."

President Zardari has summoned the joint parliamentary session in exercise of the powers conferred under Articles 54(1) and 56(3) of the Constitution. On April 4, the president summoned a Senate session, scheduled for today (Tuesday). During the session, the 37 newly elected senators will be sworn in, and the house will also elect its chairman and deputy chairman.