–President tells joint parliamentary session Pakistan will continue to support oppressed Kashmiris
–Opp protests govt’s ‘economic failure, one-sided accountability’ during presidential address
ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Thursday addressed a joint session of parliament at the start of the second parliamentary year of the National Assembly under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government amid loud sloganeering by the opposition lawmakers.
The lawmakers on opposition benches, holding placards, started protesting in front of the podium –chanting Go Niazi Go— as soon as the president started his speech.
The opposition lawmakers criticised the government for what they called its failure in foreign policy over Kashmir issue, a failed economy and one-sided accountability.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, the chiefs of the navy and air force, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee were in attendance.
In his address mandated by the constitution, Alvi said Pakistan will not tolerate Indian transgressions in Kashmir.
He said the government and the entire nation stood with Kashmir and that Pakistan would continue providing diplomatic, moral and political support to the occupied territory until the realisation of their goal of independence from India.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, he said: “India has violated its own constitution as well as the Simla Agreement with its illegal actions [in occupied Kashmir].”
He said the government took a number of measures after the move that included the downgrading of diplomatic ties, suspension of bilateral trade.
Expressing concerns over a lockdown in Kashmir, the president warned that this issue could endanger the regional peace and security, if not resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people.
He said the PTI government had raised the Kashmir issue successfully at the diplomatic front as evident by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session on the issue after a lapse of almost 50 years.
“It is a huge accomplishment for the government that the UNSC held a session on the issue after more than 50 years, despite India trying its best to prevent that from happening.”
He said all international forums, including the organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) “strongly condemned the illegal steps of India in the occupied Kashmir and demanded the issue be resolved in line with the UN resolutions”.
“[I] thank the friendly countries that understood the seriousness of the Kashmir issue, especially China, and raised it in the UN,” he said. The president also lauded a “successful visit” by the prime minister to the United States.
“India has always sponsored terrorism on Pakistani soil; Kulbhushan Jadhav is an example. He has confessed that he is a serving officer and was sent to ignite tensions in Balochistan.”
The president said the world will have to acknowledge that India is being ruled by a “fascist party” — the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“India’s illegal actions have threatened peace in the region. Pakistan has always responded to India’s warmongering with offers of dialogue.”
Speaking about the spike in the ceasefire violation by the Indian troops he said the recent violations are a threat to the regionl peace.
He urged the Indian leadership not to take the situation to an irreversible end.
‘CORRUPTION DESTROYED COUNTRY’:
In addition to Kashmir, President Alvi also spoke about the government’s performance at the economic front.
He said an increase in exports and a decline in imports has reduced the current account deficit and foreign reserves have also risen in the past year.
In a comment on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) documentation drive, he said such measures would prevent smuggling and would bring people into tax net.
“A lack of accountability has damaged the country’s economy,” he said. “Corruption eats up the roots of any nation. Unfortunately, our country has been suffering due to this.”
President Alvi said the state of Madina was the first to issue a human rights charter. “I am glad that the prime minister is personally reviewing every ministry’s performance.
“The Citizens’ Portal initiative is very admirable and I hope it will improve.
“I want to emphasise that it is important for the development of the economy to move towards a technology-based economic system.
“The IT sector must be promoted and youth must be provided with IT and AI training. Development in IT will lead to a stronger democracy.”
As the opposition members continued their loud protest, the president at this point asked them to “continue to make noise but also pay attention to [what I am saying]”.
“I hope the government will take concrete measures to control the population,” he continued. “In this regard, media can play an important role.
Alvi appreciated the judiciary’s performance over the past year, saying swift disposal of cases and establishment of model courts were laudable developments.
