KARACHI, Sept 21: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has termed President Asif Ali Zardari’s address to the joint session of parliament a historic move towards the creation of a welfare state.

He said that the presidential address truly reflected the manifesto of the Pakistan People’ Party as laid down by the late chairperson of the PPP, Benazir Bhutto. The chief minister said that the president had pledged to establish rule of law and to take steps for the supremacy of the constitution and to eradicate poverty and hunger from the country so as to restore the trust of the people in the federation.

Recalling the presidential address, Mr Shah lauded the steps announced by the president for the uplift of the economy, development of the agriculture sector etc.

He said that the president’s commitment for the establishment of a peaceful atmosphere in the country, solution of the problems in Balochistan, Fata, the Northern areas, formation of a committees for the withdrawal of the 17th amendment and Article 58(2)b etc would further strengthen the democratic dispensation.

Mr Shah hoped that the issue of power shortage would be resolved by the end of the next year and a progressive Pakistan would soon emerge under the leadership of President Zardari.