ISLAMABAD: The Opposition leader in National Assembly and central leader of PML-N Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Thursday there was no difference in policies of current and previous governments. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, he said President Asif Ali Zardari should announce clear-cut policy on war against terrorism, setting up of Truth and Reconciliation Commission and relief for the people.

Ch. Nisar said PPP has the mot powerful government in the country’s democratic history, but no change has been seen during the last six months. “Pakistan is engulfed by the similar challenges faced by the people during former President Pervez Musharraf’s era, he noted.

He demanded Zardari to quit co-chairmanship of his party and announce abolition of 17th amendments. He said President Zardari should announce clear timeframe for the end of 17th amendment. He hoped President Zardari would not avoid this issue in his address to the parliament. The opposition leader vowed to continue struggle for the restoration of deposed judges and demanded their reinstatement without any discrimination.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned the joint sitting of the Parliament on September 20, says an official notification issued by National Assembly Secretariat. The President, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 read with clauses (1) and (3) of Article 56 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has summoned both the Houses to assemble together in the Parliament Building on Saturday (September 20).

It is expected President Asif Ali Zaradr will address major issues; Pakistan is facing currently; including terrorism in tribal areas and Pakistan’s policy on war on terror, strengthening of democratic and political values and norms in the country, regional regional disputes including Kashmir issue, sovereignty of Pakistan while U.S. unilateral strike against extremist targets on the Pakistani soil, energy crisis, socio-economic development and dwindling economic situation in Pakistan.
He is expected to address those issue he left during his first press conference after taking oath.

It is important to highlight that Gen. (r ) Pervaiz Musharraf did not address the Parliament during his tenure.

Gilani invites President to address joint sitting on Sept 19
SLAMABAD: President spent Wednesday as his first working day while Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on invited President Asif Ali Zardari to address the joint sitting of the Parliament, to meet the requirement under Article 56 of the constitution. Prime Minister Gilani called on the President at the Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed with him issues of national importance .

President Zardari stressed the need for effective strategies to cope with challenges facing the country including economy, terrorism. He said the government should take solid steps to strengthen the economy. Situation in tribal areas and the need to fight terrorism and extremism were the major topics to discussion in today’s meeting. President Zardari reiterated the pledge that parliament would be made sovereign and the President would be subservient to it.

He reiterated his commitment to strengthen democratic institutions in the country. The Prime Minister said with Zardari becoming the president, the transition to democracy in the country was completed, and would flourish in the days to come. He said President Zardari would uphold the mission of the two Shaheed leaders Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who fought for the uplift of common man.

Meanwhile Members of federal cabinet called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday and greeted him on assuming the highest office. At the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the ministers felicitated President Zardari on becoming head of the state, and discussed with him issues of national importance. President Zardari said after a long struggle, a civilian democratic government was established in the country, which would strengthen the state institutions. He asked the ministers to work hard in their respective areas for the betterment of people. Other issues including economy and food shortage also came under discussion.

However due to political pull game between PML-N and PPP key ministries have been suffering a lot. Several naive Minister from PPP were given two portfolios; for that reasons Ministries including Finance, Agriculture, Health, Defense had suffered alot. And no growth was noticed in last few months. Pakistanis expect President of Pakistan to take immediate steps in this regard and full cabinet should take oath in this week.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan Tuesday agreed to forge close cooperation within the framework of Trilateral Military Commission for accurate operations against militants. This resolve surfaced during joint press conference of President Asif Ali Zardari and Afgahn President Hamid Karzai at Presidential Palace after Mr.Zardari took oath of highest office. Read the full story

The swearing-in ceremony has finally stamped the verdict of people apparently as far as deciding the president of Pakistan was concerned. The ceremony as foreseen could not be controversial, but it was surely spiced up by the following joint press conference of President Zardari and President of Afghanistan Mr. Karzai. Well Mr. Karzai took this pain coming all over from Afghanistan just to be the part of this jubilation and found it the most suitable occasion to present his reservations. Considering it the first press conference of our president, one can fascinate the idea of allowing him space and dismiss much criticism which is justified to be made. But on a serious note, the first impression is the last impression, majority still believes in this maxim. The toughest part is to change the psychology of a nation so I loose that argument here and going back to the old psychology where people wanted Mr. Zardari to make lots of promises and give clear cut stance on key issues. But much to our despair, it did not happen rather it created some confusion about a few issues. Like on judiciary, which created so much hype in recent past, the president could not satisfy the people while not discussing the fate of Chief Justice Ifthikar Chaudary. Secondly, he bluntly avoided any answer about handing over his responsibilities as a cochairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Contrary to the spirit of rising above the ethnic and political lines, he repeatedly mentioned that HIS party PPP intents to do so and so. Well to become the symbol of federation, I safely assume that first the emotions and then language has to be altered to the extent where we all unanimously declare him as a symbol. His very fresh claims about revoking 58-2-B after taking oath have not been materialized as this was his first realization after becoming the president that it has to be done through a proper channel—Parliament. Intelligent politicians like our president would have given it a second thought when he made this promise in a programme Capital Talk that after a few days, he will be answerable to the media and people. Now we all expect the Parliament to formally make this request to the present who can use his authority on being asked and revoke it.

I agree that people remained confused on many issues as Mr. Zardari avoided giving many answers, so eventually contrary to the expectations, the policy statements he did not make. Few believe that he was not prepared to comment on many issues, well in my humble opinion, his preparation to become the president has been on for quite some time and what he could not prepare merely policy statements. Yes, I am convinced that it was a conscious effort not to talk about many key issues, though, time will unfold many secrets. Mr Karzai intervention has though changed the whole focus of the press conference as it was solely organized for him, it seems. His purpose has been achieved, but he has left the nation with mixed reaction on the first press conference of our new president.

On a very personal note, I am missing Benazir Bhutto though I am not a supporter of PPP, but if this all had to happen, then BB deserved it the most. Done cannot be undone.

Long live Pakistan

Islamabad: Hopes for economic revival are high as one of the most powerful civilian rulers has taken over as President of Pakistan. Now Asif Ali Zardari should ensure political and economic stability as country is paralyzed since eighteen months due to power struggles, said Pakistan Economy Watch on Tuesday. Cancellation of holiday in Sindh has not only saved billions but also assured that Asif Zardari is very serious about economy. His soft and compromising stance during the press conference says volumes about his plans. He is expected to find solution to energy crisis with the help of China and contain lawlessness and unemployment. Read the full story

WASHINGTON: US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has felicitated President-elect Asif Ali Zardari on his election as head of the state and praised the Pakistani leader’s avowed commitment to return unconstitutionally appropriated powers from presidency to the parliament. “I congratulate Asif Ali Zardari on his election as President of Pakistan. I am glad to hear of his pledge to return this office to its traditional stature, and return to Parliament the powers unconstitutionally appropriated to the presidency,” the senator said in a statement. Read the full story

KABUL: Newly elected Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has invited his Afghan counterpart to attend his oath-taking ceremony, the Afghan government said Sunday. ’The Pakistani president invited him (Karzai) to take part in the oath-taking ceremony to be held in Islamabad soon,’ the statement said, adding that Karzai accepted the invitation. Karzai, is said to have had good relations with Benazir Bhutto, expressed hoped that relations between the two Islamic neighboring countries would improve. Read the full story

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday felicitated and extended best wishes to PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on his election as the President of Pakistan. “In this new historic period, the Chinese side would like to make joint efforts with the Pakistani side to promote our traditional friendship, build a glorious future together, bring the Sino-Pak strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a new high and be good neighbours, good friends, good brothers as well as good partners for ever”, the Hu Jintao said. Read the full story