ISLAMABAD, March 22: President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to address a joint sitting of parliament by the end of the current month.

Sources told Dawn that the federal government had moved a summary of the presidential address to parliament last week for necessary arrangements.

The president is required under the Constitution to address parliament at the start of every parliamentary year.

The sources said that after consulting the prime minister, the president agreed that he should take parliament and nation into confidence on crucial issues.

The sources said the parliamentary authorities had finalised arrangements and had communicated to the presidency that March 28 would be the most suitable date for the address.

The only concern of the government and the presidency was a possible disturbance during the address.

The sources said the prime minister had been assured by the Sharif brothers that MNAs of their party would patiently listen to the president’s address.

In his address, the sources said, President Zardari was likely to take credit for the restoration of the deposed judges. He may also make some important announcements about normalising the political situation in Punjab.
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