President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday urged the government to avoid taking unilateral decisions that hamper the smooth functioning of the federation.
Addressing a joint session of Parliament to mark the start of the new parliamentary year, he specifically cited the Cholistan Canal System project as an impediment to federal unity. The project, approved by the Indus River System Authority last month despite opposition from Sindh, calls for the construction of waterways to irrigate parts of southern Punjab and boost its agricultural productivity. It has met severe criticism from Sindhi nationalists, who claim it infringes upon water allocated to the province under the 1991 Water Accord.
In his address, Zardari criticized the federal government for moving to carve out additional canals from the Indus River System amidst provincial opposition. “A proposal that I as your president cannot support,” he said, calling on the government to work with all stakeholders to devise a sustainable solution that builds consensus among all federating units.
Urging all stakeholders to prioritize the national interest, the president noted he was privileged to be addressing a joint session of Parliament for the 8th time. “This moment marks not only the continuation of our democratic journey but also provides us with an opportunity to review our progress and reaffirm our commitment to building a better future for Pakistan,” he said, and called on the house to focus on promoting good governance, and political and economic stability.
Appreciating recent macroeconomic gains, he said indicators were all showing signs of improvement. He also stressed on the importance of Parliament, saying the country needs consensus to resolve the issues facing citizens.
Calling on the government to shift focus to encouraging domestic and international investments, Zardari this would facilitate economic growth and job creation, foster social and economic justice, and ensure fairness and transparency.
Equitable Development
The president stressed on inclusive and uniform development, saying progress should not be restricted to a few select areas. He also called for improving the taxation system, urging the government to focus on expanding the tax net rather than increasing the burden on existing taxpayers.
Suggesting a need to diversify exports and make the I.T. industry a key driver of economic growth, he said support must also be given to small and medium enterprises to encourage young people to become entrepreneurs.
Urging Parliament to focus on ensuring relief for the common man in this year’s budget, the president regretted that inflation and rising energy costs had inflicted serious economic hardships. He further urged the government to avoid downsizing, saying the focus should instead be on job generation.
Security Concerns
On the prevailing security situation, Zardari advised strengthening capacities and enhancing law enforcement agencies to effectively deal with terrorism. “Parliament needs to play a role in rebuilding a consensus to tackle extremist ideologies as well as the militancy that supports such violence,” he said, stressing that the government was committed to eradicating the menace with the support of the nation and the brave armed forces.
He further called for enhancing cooperation with friendly regional countries to boost trade, economy, and climate and culture exchanges. “Let us strive to build a Pakistan that is just, prosperous, and inclusive and make the best use of this parliamentary year,” he said.
The speech was marred by a strong protest from opposition lawmakers, who shouted slogans calling for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan and deriding the incumbent government.