Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for setting aside personal and political differences and working together to revive the economy, strengthen democracy, and uphold the rule of law. Addressing the Joint Sitting of the Parliament at the beginning of the new parliamentary year in Islamabad, he urged the Parliament to focus on promoting good governance, and political and economic stability. He said our people have pinned their hopes on parliament, and we must rise to meet their expectations.
According to Radio Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari appreciated the government’s efforts for putting the country on a positive path to economic growth. He mentioned that foreign exchange reserves witnessed a surge and there is a substantial increase in Foreign Direct Investment. The stock market also surged to a historic high. The government reduced the policy rate and all other economic indicators have shown a healthy sign of improvement. The President reaffirmed the commitment to eradicating the menace of terrorism with the support of the nation and brave Armed Forces.
Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the need to further strengthen security capabilities and enhance the capacity of the law enforcement agencies to effectively deal with terrorism. He highlighted the external support and funding that terrorists are receiving, causing human and financial losses to the nation. He paid tribute to the bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of the security forces.
The President described the recent successful counterterrorism cooperation between the US and Pakistan as encouraging and emphasized that the two countries should build on these successes to renew and enhance cooperation for joint goals. He announced that Pakistan will enhance its cooperation with friendly regional countries in trade, economy, and climate and culture exchanges and will continue to play its role as a responsible and peace-loving nation.
Discussing Pakistan’s relationship with China, the President said the country will further cement its All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and continue to support the One-China Policy. He also appreciated the support from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, and others during economic challenges. Pakistan is committed to further strengthening ties with Gulf and Central Asia as well as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Expressing concerns over the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he affirmed Pakistan’s unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people and urged the international community to take action against atrocities by Indian Occupation Forces. The President reiterated Pakistan’s position on the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
In the agriculture sector, Asif Ali Zardari called for equipping farmers with modern tools and urged the federal and provincial governments to strengthen agriculture, ensure sustainable water management, and manage climate change threats. He stressed the need to invest in renewable energy and electric vehicles and diversify exports by focusing on value-added goods and services. He advocated for making the IT Industry a key driver of economic growth.
Addressing the economic hardships faced by the common man, laborers, and the salaried class, the President urged the government to provide real relief by increasing salaries and pensions, reducing income taxes on salaried classes, and lowering energy costs in the forthcoming budget. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received President Asif Ali Zardari at the Parliament House earlier for his address to the Joint Session.