KARACHI, Jan 17: Leaders of various political parties on Saturday hailed President Gen Pervez Musharraf's address to the joint session of the Parliament, lauding his commitment to resolve disputes with India and continue nuclear programme.

ALTAF HUSSAIN: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, on Saturday talked to President Gen Pervez Musharraf on telephone from London and lauded his address to the joint session of the parliament.

According to an MQM press release, Altaf Hussain said that the president upheld the democratic traditions as despite uproar by the opposition in the parliament he continued his address with patience.

"This testifies that President Musharraf believes in democratic practice and wanted promotion of democratic values in the country," he said.

MQM chief also thanked the president for taking note of Ms Shaista Almani's case and issuing orders for her protection and appealed him to take steps for bringing an end to the infamous practice of Karo-Kari.

President Musharraf assured him that he would take suitable steps for safety of Ms Almani and eradication of Karo-Kari, the press release concluded.

GHINVA BHUTTO: Pakistan People's Party (Shaheed Bhutto) Chairperson Ms Ghinva Bhutto lauded the will of the president to establish peace with India, resolve the Kashmir dispute, reduce the electricity charges and improve the condition of the people.

She said to achieve all these targets, the president should get support of the people.

Former federal minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Capt Haleem Siddiqui, said that president had won the hearts of the people by announcing that the nuclear programme would not be rolled back.

Welcoming reduction in power tariff, he said it would help boost industrial activities and create more jobs.

Former federal minister and Haji Hanif Tayyab lauded the president's announcement that Pakistan would continue to increase its defence capabilities. He said the president very rightly stated that Islam was a peace-loving religion and it should be projected around the globe that we were against all kinds of terrorism and extremism.

The acting president, Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Prof Shah Faridul Haque, said that president removed all doubts regarding rollback of our Kashmir policy and nuclear programme.

He also appreciated president's commitment to eliminate terrorism from the country.

The member, PML Central Organizing Committee and Provincial Minister, Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh, described the president's address to the Parliament as historic milestone. - PPI/APP

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