President Asif Ali Zardari will add a new chapter to the country’s parliamentary history on Monday as he addresses the joint sitting of Parliament for a record sixth time.
The president will address the National Assembly (NA) and Senate during a session he has summoned at 4.30 pm today at the Parliament House.
According to constitutional provisions, the president has to address a joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the first session of the NA after general election as well as the first sitting of the NA every parliamentary year.
President Zardari will become the country’s first head of the state to address Parliament’s joint sitting for six consecutive times.
He addressed joint sessions in March 2009, September 2009, April 2010, December 2011 and March 2012.
The joint session scheduled for Monday will be the first formal session of the NA after election and swearing-in of the new prime minister, speaker and the deputy speaker.
In his address, President Zardari is expected to highlight the significance of democratic transition and the role played by political parties in making it a success. He is also likely to spell out the internal and external challenges the country faces; including the threat of terrorism, economic difficulties, energy crisis and other issues that need urgent attention of the new government.
The joint parliamentary session will be attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is the fourth prime minister during the five-year tenure of President Zardari. The three other chief executives were Yousuf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and caretaker premier Mir Hazar Khan Khoso.
Monday’s event will also be attended by provincial governors, chief ministers, heads of armed forces, envoys of different countries based in Pakistan and other prominent personalities.
Former presidents General Ziaul Haq and Ghulam Ishaq Khan had the opportunity to address Parliament on five occasions.
Special passes have been issued for the auspicious occasion, to be held amid tight security measures, as ordered by the new Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
All leading entry and exit points would be strictly monitored, and no vehicle would be allowed to enter the federal capital without a thorough search. Rangers officials along with police will be deployed to ensure foolproof security.
Zardari to make history by addressing Parliament sixth time
