Zardari stresses for meaningful talks to overcome challenges

ISLAMABAD: Stressing the need for meaningful dialogue, President Asif Zardari on Thursday called for political reconciliation to do away with the polarisation and overcome the challenges confronting the crisis-hit country.

He stated this while delivering maiden address to joint session of parliament after the February 8 general elections amid protest and sloganeering by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) lawmakers.

“Let me also take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all parliamentarians and provincial assembly members for their trust and confidence in electing me for a second time as the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” Zardari said in his opening remarks. He said their agenda and ideology will strengthen the country and underlined the need for creating a political environment to fulfill the expectations of all stakeholders.

He asked the political leadership of the country to highlight their priorities and stressed the need for ending differences for the country’s prosperity.“While there are many economic reforms the government will drive in spurring jobs, reducing inflation and expanding the tax net, I want to underscore the importance of promoting positive working relationships and effective coordination, within our constitutional framework, between the federal government and the provinces. This is absolutely essential for promoting an inclusive national development agenda and rolling out policies that execute tangible action on the ground.”

The President called for taking positive steps, saying harmony among institutions was the need of the hour to pave wave for the development of the country.“If we see today as a new beginning, which it is, then we can build on our strengths by investing in our people, by focusing on public needs, and by harnessing our resources to create pathways to inclusive growth,” he said.

“I also feel that we have little time to waste. The country needs us to move on from the polarisation so common now to contemporary politics. This joint House must play a leading role in rebuilding public confidence in the parliamentary process and establish a foundation for the uninterrupted sustainable development of our nation,” he added.

Zardari also stressed the need for parliamentary consensus and fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and political reconciliation to do away with the polarisation and overcome the challenges pervading the crisis-hit country.

“In my considered view, it is time to turn a new page… The challenges we face are not impossible to overcome. They just require the fundamentals of meaningful dialogue, and parliamentary consensus… We can effectively tackle our challenges and foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and political reconciliation.”

The President’s address encompassed all of the major national and international matters and challenges from economy, poverty, social welfare, women empowerment and foreign policy to Kashmir and Palestine as well as climate change.

He said having given away his powers to the parliament, his role was as a unifying symbol of a joint, robust federation, where all people and provinces should be treated as equal before the law.

Zardari said the country needed to build its strengths by investing in people, focusing on public needs, and harnessing its resources to create pathways to inclusive growth. “We have little time to waste.”

Calling for resetting the political atmosphere and reflecting “more light than heat”, he emphasised reforms, to promote good governance and turning challenges into opportunities.

Stressing the need for joint efforts, the President warned that terrorism was rearing its head again in the country, hoping that neighbouring countries will take action against militants involved in cross-border attacks.

“Terrorism is a threat for our national security, prosperity and regional peace. Pakistan considers terrorism as a common threat.”Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto were among the MNAs and Senators who attended the joint session.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the session chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, while provincial chief ministers, diplomats, and representatives from political parties were present in the galleries.