• In address to joint sitting of parliament, Zardari points to policies like Cholistan canal project; urges consensus-based decision-making
• Says resurgence of terrorism cannot be allowed, urges parliament to play vital role in tackling militancy
• Appreciates economic indicators; asks govt to reform tax net, address climate change, focus on development of Balochistan, GB

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday cautioned the year-old coalition government on its “unilateral policies” that are putting a “grave strain” on the federation, and proposed decision-making via consensus, instead.

The eighth address by President Zardari to the joint session of parliament was punctuated by a noisy protest by opposition lawmakers, who disrupted the speech by thumping desks, shouting, and chanting slogans in support of their party founder, Imran Khan.

In his address, the president touched upon a whole host of issues, including foreign policy, climate change, economy, nat­i­o­nal politics, transparency, women empowerment, Kash­mir, and good governance.

He also alluded to the government plan to carve out canals from the Indus River, saying the decision was taken unilaterally, despite opposition from federating units, describing it as a proposal that he, as president, could not support.

“I urge this government to abandon this current proposal and work together with all stakeholders to come up with viable, sustainable solutions based on unanimous consensus among the federating units,” he added.

The alliance between the PPP and the ruling PML-N has suffered from a major trust deficit, mainly due to the federal and Punjab governments’ propensity to take decisions without consulting their coalition partners.

A PPP leader recently accused the PM’s Office of not implementing directives issued by the Presidency.

A meeting between PM Shehbaz Sharif and President Zardari, and a committee formed under Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to address the PPP’s concerns have also failed to put an end to the differences.

Positive indicators

Speaking on the occasion, President Zardari said it was his singular privilege as civilian president to address for the eighth time the august house. “It is an opportunity to review our progress and reaffirm our commitment to building a better future for Pakistan,” he added.

Appreciating positive economic indicators, the president asked the government to reform and expand tax net—not by overburdening those who already contribute, but by ensuring that every eligible taxpayer participates in nation-building.

He said Pakistan should also diversify its exports, focusing on value-added goods and services. “To explore new markets and build a competitive export-orientated economy, we need to make our IT industry the key driver of economic growth,” he added.

The president said the sustained support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) was equally important and said young people should be encouraged to enter the business world through SME-focused programmes, skill development initiatives, and accessible loan schemes.

Economic hardship

President Zardari said the working and the salaried classes were facing serious economic hardships.

“Our citizens are burdened by inflation, high prices of essential items, and rising energy costs. As we approach the next budget, I urge this parliament and the government to provide real relief to the people,” he added. He said the government should take measures in the forthcoming budget to increase salaries and pensions, reduce income taxes on salaried classes and lower energy costs, which would help reduce the financial burden on them.

The country needed a strong and efficient transport infrastructure, road networks, and modernised railways, he said, adding that Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan required special attention in terms of connectivity and development. He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port must be fully realised so that Pakistan could serve as a gateway for international trade, linking Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.

He also said it was essential to empower women by enhancing their representation in various sectors, adding that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) remained a crucial lifeline for millions of families.

Terrorism

The president said the parliament needed to play a role in rebuilding a consensus to tackle extremist ideologies. “We must unite to ensure that challenges don’t gather more momentum, because already thousands of our security forces have sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism, and we cannot allow resurgence again. I want to assure you that we are committed to eradicating this menace with the support of our nation and brave armed forces,” he added.

On the foreign front, the president called for enhancing cooperation with friendly regional countries in the areas of trade, economy, and cultural exchanges. The president stressed the need for learning from Chinese leadership and getting the benefits of CPEC.

He also appreciated the support of trusted friends — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, and others—who have stood by Pakistan in times of economic challenges. The president reaffirmed unwavering moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri and Palestinian people and call upon the international community to take action.

Climate change

In his address, the president said Pakistan was one of the countries most impacted by climate change, adding that the focus should be on restoring biodiversity, adaptive strategies on the food and water security nexus, and the preservation of ecosystems.

“We must invest in the promotion of renewable energy and electric vehicles. We must also focus on recharging our wetlands and rivers, so they emerge pollution-free and become once again the lifeline for livelihoods and rich marine ecosystems. The mangroves of Sindh stand as a shining example of what can be achieved through conservation efforts,” he added.

He said federal and provincial governments should strengthen the agriculture sector, ensure sustainable water management, and bring coordination and agency to the urgent task of managing the growing threats of climate change. “We must work toward innovative solutions such as bringing water from Tajikistan to Balochistan, upgrading irrigation systems, and utilising new technologies to conserve and distribute water,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2025