President Asif Ali Zardari will not address the joint session of parliament in the near future because of ill-health, as he is currently being kept under medical observation. On Sunday, a presidential spokesman had announced that the president had decided to address a joint session of parliament after Muharram and called upon the government to take appropriate steps in this regard. It was for the first time that a statement issued by the Presidency also mentioned the role and responsibility of the president as “supreme commander of the armed forces”, triggering a debate against the backdrop of the NATO strike and more importantly his alleged involvement in the memogate controversy and his supposed differences with the top military brass.
Under Article 56(1) of the constitution, the president may address either House or both Houses assembled together and may for that purpose require the attendance of the members, Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar had said. However, a press release issued by Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday said the president would remain under (medical) observation and return to resume his normal functions as advised by the doctors.
Ill Zardari not likely to address parliament
