Govt viewpoint on minorities is same as Quaid-e-Azam's vision: Mamnoon Hussain

President Mamnoon Hussain addresses a joint session of the parliament for the first time.


Web Desk/saqib Nasir June 02, 2014
Express News screengrab of President Mamnoon Hussain addressing the joint session.

ISLAMABAD: The viewpoint of the government on minorities is the same as the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, stated President Mamnoon Hussain while addressing a joint session of the parliament for the first time on Monday.

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 attended the joint session of the parliament. Ambassadors, diplomats, members of civil society and important personalities from different segments of life also attended the session.

Hussain said that protection of the religious places of minorities is the responsibility of the government, adding that the government will do everything it can to protect their right to religious freedom.

"The role of minorities for the progress of the country was commendable," Hussain stated.

Democracy

The president remarked that the parliament has played an important role for democracy to be prevalent in the country.

Describing the meaning of democracy, Hussain stated that it does not mean confrontation and revenge but instead embodied patience, cooperation, tolerance and reconciliation.

"Democracy and supremacy of the Constitution are the present and future of the country."

Relationships with neighbours

President Hussain also stated that Pakistan wants better relations with its neighbours.

He mentioned that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attending the swearing-in ceremony of the new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signified that "Pakistan was ready for improved relations with India."

Speaking about Nawaz's tour to Iran, the president said that it was successful and showed that Pakistan was working towards having a stable relationship with Iran.

"In real terms, the Chinese and Pakistanis are one soul in two bodies," speaking positively about the Pak-China friendship.

Economic progress

Commenting on some of the measures taken by the government for economic progress, the president remarked that "the success of Eurobonds, GSP Plus status given by the European Parliament, increase in the Gross National Product, constant decrease in the budget deficit and rise in textile export were commendable."

Speaking about the steps taken to resolve the energy crisis, Hussain stated that 1700 megawatts (MW) have been added to the national grid by the government since it came to power and so far 19 power projects, which will produce 24,870MW of electricity, have been started.

Boycott

Members of opposition parties boycotted the joint session. During a meeting of members of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q), Balochistan National Party Awami and Awami National Party (ANP) - headed by Senator Aitzaz Ahsan - it was unanimously decided that they will be not be attending the joint session.

Security was beefed up in the Red Zone to avoid any untoward situation and apart from members of the National Assembly and the Senate, only those people with special invitation were allowed to enter the Parliament.

The president’s speech was delivered in Urdu and discussed 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.

COMMENTS (43)

Dajjal | 9 years ago | Reply

@BruteForce: "Incorrect. He said that, but his actions indicate it otherwise. "

When it came to addressing the people in charge of framing the constitution, his speech makes it abundantly clear which direction he wanted Pakistan to go in... regardless of what populist rhetoric he adopted in not so important settings...

here is the speech... it speaks for itself regardless of what detractors of a secular Pakistan might say...

http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/legislation/constituentaddress11aug1947.html

Timorlane | 9 years ago | Reply

and sir that's the difference between rulers and leaders: rulers have viewpoint, leaders have. vision. Thanks for reinforcing our belief that these rulers like earlier ones are just rulers, captive of their personal and family interests

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