The president’s speech is to be delivered in Urdu and will discuss his government’s performance over the last year while outlining policy guidelines for the subsequent year, according to a PML-N member. PHOTO: AFP
During former president Asif Ali Zardari’s six addresses to the parliament, for instance, the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) vocalised their protest to the then-government at each speech. Both houses of parliament congregate for the speech, after which the National Assembly begins a fresh year.
While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has already launched a nationwide protest against the government, it is expected that the former ruling party of the PPP, who convened a parliamentary party meeting prior to the president’s address, may mark the occasion with a protest. A party leader told The Express Tribune that the PPP will not boycott the speech or stage a protest here, but a meeting of all opposition parties in the Senate will be held before the speech in order to discuss strategy.
The PPP recently cried foul when non-bailable arrest warrants were issued for former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and senior party leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim. In addition, the party boycotted the election wherein the president was elected.
The president’s speech is to be delivered in Urdu and will discuss his government’s performance over the last year while outlining policy guidelines for the subsequent year, according to a PML-N member. The speech is mandatory under Article 56 of the Constitution.
President Hussain’s predecessor Asif Ali Zardari addressed the joint session of parliament a record six times during his tenure, while his predecessor General (retired) Pervez Musharraf made the address once during his tenure of eight years and 10 months.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 read with clause (3) of Article 56 of the Constitution, the president has been pleased to summon both the houses together in Parliament House,” a notification issued by the media wing of the National Assembly on Monday stated.
Article 56(3) reads, “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.”
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, members of the federal cabinet and parliament, chief ministers, governors and the prime minister of Azad Kashmir as well as the chiefs of the three armed forces including Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will attend the joint session of the parliament. Ambassadors, diplomats, members of civil society and important personalities from different segments of life will also attend the session.
Opposition parties Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Q and others plan to stage a protest during the president’s address, but this will be on a limited scale, insiders say.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2014.
COMMENTS (5)
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@GS@Y: If you use your intellect and think outside the "Lahore box" you can see what I meant.
What a joke with this nation, a hand picked man of no standing will head this Country as if it was the personal fiefdom of a party head. Is this the kind of Democracy we struggle for?
@Kala_bacha:
How? Just because you said so? He's a constitutional officeholder in a purely ceremonial position who knows his legal bounds and conducts his charge with dignity, while your "Baba Ishaq" served as a vile dictator's senate boss, usurped the presidency with the help of the security establishment, dismissed two democratic governments, and was eventually forced to leave office in infamy.
Pretty sure that the speech is not mandatory under 'Article 6' of the constitution As we all know by now, Article 6 relates to high treason. The author most probably wanted to reference Article 56(3).
Even baba ishaq was better president then him.