President Zardari. PHOTO: APP
As the country braces itself for a new era of democratic life, the parliamentary annals mark yet another historic event. According to the sources that talked to The Express Tribune here on Thursday, President Asif Ali Zardari is all set to address the joint parliamentary session of the upper and lower houses for a record sixth time on Monday, June 10 at 4:30pm.
The Article 54 (1) of the Constitution vests in the President the power to summon the joint parliamentary sessions as it reads: “The President may, from time to time, summon either House or both Houses in joint sitting to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit and may also prorogue the same.”
When asked for confirmation, President’s spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said, “the summary for the joint session has to come from the government and we have not received it yet.” However, Babar added, plans for presidential address were in the pipeline.
Sources in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) confirmed that a joint session had been summoned and it would be held on Monday at 4:30 pm. The June 10 session would be the first formal session of the lower house of parliament after the completion of the house, i.e., election of the new premier, leader of the opposition and speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly.
Constitutionally, the President is required to address the newly elected parliament. In this connection Article 56 (3) of the Constitution says that “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”.
However, this time President Zardari would not have to face the hostile opposition which had been stealing the show through its protests during the last five years. The PML-N, which played the role of opposition during the coalition government led by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has now come to power and President Zardari’s party is now on opposition benches.
In March 2013, the Nawaz League had not only staged protest but had also boycotted the session when President Zardari addressed the joint session for a record fifth time. Monday’s address would give President Zardari another distinction as he has already made a record by addressing the parliament for five consecutive times.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2013.
COMMENTS (10)
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A democratically elected leader would always be a proud person even after the term is over or lost. No dictator can have this honor and there is no such thing as a good dictator. The word dictator itself says it all. “It is Allah and only Allah who gives honor or dishonor to humans”. Only a few get this honor and the others keep fighting for it.
Atleast we must appreciate him for smooth transection of power, though we may have certain reservations agisnt him.
Ab hamara yehi naseeb hai History celebrate karthay rahein. One guy becomes PM for the third time that is history, now this guy makes the address that is another history. Hahaha. Wish they had made history by giving law and order to all cities in Pakistan, doing away with feudal system, re-introducing merit or making an industrial economy rather than trade, filled national coffers with a trillion dollars of foreign exchange. That was history. Our media is so poor it is celebrating such naive achievements if any. Are they bankrupt of ideas or just apple polishing?
So when do we finally get rid of this guy?
whats historic about it? another sixth time bla bla bla
He has already made history.................but not in a good way.
I so love this smile; Like a Boss!
Will he be able to read in National Assembly the Presidential Address of GOP handed over to him by Nawaz Sharif Governemrnt?
President Zardari is one of the few rulers in the world, who have transfered their powers to other instituions, He is making the history, Respect for the greatest leader we ever had.
First President to address Parliament 6 times. First time a democratic government completes its term. First time there is a smooth democratic transition of power. First woman speaker of the Assembly.
Unfortunately their incompetency limited them to only these insignificant pages of history.