President addresses joint session of Parliament

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday addressed Parliament’s joint session, a constitutional obligation to mark the advent of third parliamentary year of the incumbent government, Samaa reported.

In his second address to lawmakers from both houses of the Parliament, the president hailed government’s performance, hoping that democratic process would further flourish and institutions strengthen in the country.

The president congratulated parliamentarians on the completion of second parliamentary year.

The president said performance of both houses of the Parliament has improved as compared to previous years, saying that the legislature played vital role in stabilising democracy.

“Politicians and masses of this country played their role for democratic stability and prosperity of Pakistan…. I hope that democracy and democratic institutions will further flourish,” he said.

He hailed the government for its economic policies and National Action Plan devised following last year’s deadly attack on a school in Peshawar.

He said Zarb-e-Azb operation was successfully underway in tribal areas to flush out terrorism and militants across the board. The president vowed that the operation would continue till elimination of last terrorist.

The session was attended by all Chief Ministers, Governors and Prime Minister Azad Kashmir besides, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chiefs of the three Armed Forces.

Ambassadors, diplomats and members of civil society also attended the session that got under with national anthem and recitation from the Holy Quran. - Samaa.

Military Martyrs

President Mamnoon said the nation had not forgotten their 60,000 martyrs including civilians and army men and assured their relatives that these precious sacrifices would be remembered forever.

He also mentioned the difficulties faced by displaced persons who left their homes in tribal areas in support of operation against militants. He recommended the government to allocate generous funds for the uplift of these people.

He said the government, armed forces and law enforcement agencies were making good efforts for peace in the country.

Revival of Cricket

He said revival of international cricket after long time was the result of restoration of peace and would prove beneficial as a healthy activity for youth.

Energy Crisis

On energy crisis President Mamnoon Hussain regretted that no new power generation project was launched in the country during last 12 to 15 years, which led to poor economy and created unrest in the public.

He expressed satisfaction that the present government was giving priority to power generation and launched several new initiatives.

He mentioned setting up of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in Cholistan, nuclear power houses in Karachi and Chashma, apart from electricity generation from coal, wind and gas.

He said the private sector too was playing its role in power generation, while work was also going on at Diamir Bhasha dam.

He said he was positive that most of these projects would be operational by year 2018, and would help address the issue of load shedding.

President Mamnoon Hussain appreciated the performance of the government in the field of gas and said the completion of Liquified Natural Gas terminals in limited times was a great success.

He said in the days ahead, water crisis could aggravate and called for building more water reservoirs. He mentioned the progress on Diamir Bhasha dam, however pointed that Pakistan's needs were much more and hoped that the government, in consultation with the experts, would make progress on building of small and large dams.

Ties To India, Afghanistan

President Mamnoon said Pakistan is a peaceful country and wishes to maintain relations on the basis of equality with all its neighbours.

He said sincere efforts by Pakistan initiated a new era of relations with Afghanistan.

He appreciated that under the leadership of President Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan was reciprocating Pakistan's sincere initiative for peace and stability.

The President said Pakistan gives priority to friendly relations with India, based on mutual trust and cooperation. Pakistan wants India to resolve the issue of Kashmir in accordance with the resolutions of United Nations and according to the aspirations of Kashmiri people, he added.

President Mamnoon mentioned that the foreign secretary level talks were resumed recently, which were earlier called off by India after unilaterally. However, these could not make any remarkable progress.

Pakistan believes that dialogue is the solution to resolve all outstanding issues with India including the dispute on water, he added.

Fight Against Corruption

President Mamnoon said after taking over the office of the President of Pakistan, he had launched a fight against corruption and placed health care, education and culture on his priorities.
 
"I want more funds to be allocated for education in the budget, as solution of most of our problems lies in imparting education."

The President expressed his desire that the primary education be solely handed over to the women as this would not only encourage them to get education, but also help them increase their number at workplace.  – Samaa/APP