President’s address to the joint session of Parliament

President Asif Ali Zardari has recommended lifting of governor’s rule in Punjab. Addressing a joint sitting of the Parliament, President Zardari said: “I recommend lifting of governor-rule in Punjab.” President Zardari has called for constituting a committee of all political parties to propose amendments in the Constitution in light of Charter of Democracy (CoD). "The amendments should be finalized without any further delay," President Zardari said while addressing the joint sitting of parliament. President Zardari said, "We hold the Parliament in the highest esteem. Supremacy of the Parliament has been a dream of our leader, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The Charter of Democracy flows from her belief in the supremacy of the Parliament." He said that about six months ago in his first address to the joint parliament, he had called upon the Parliament, to form an all parties committee, to revisit the 17th amendment and Article 58-2(b). He said the country is passing through a severe economic recession as the global meltdown has badly affected country’s economy. The president vowed to root out terrorism and extremism. The president said an investment of 30 billion dollars had been planned in the power sector up to year 2016. He said the government had inherited power shortage of around 3,500 Megawatts. The President said the sources of funding of 8 billion dollars Basha Dam had been identified, and its construction would start in about a year’s time. He appreciated the way in which the government had taken the challenge head on, adding that private sector had been encouraged to come forward. President Zardari said a number of IPPs and rental power projects were being set up, and said some of them would be re-commissioned this year and relieve the burden. He mentioned that the construction of 1000 MW Neelum Hydel Project in Azad Kashmir had started. Dear readers – how do you view President’s address, would it strengthen the process of political cohesion and national unity? Will President Zardari’s new approach steer the country out of present crises and lead the country to socio-economic turnaround? Your comments are welcome!