Zardari to address both houses of parliament today

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned the session of the National Assembly on Friday (tomorrow) at 10:30 am. He summoned the session in exercise of the powers conferred by the Article 54 (1) of the Constitution.

Earlier, on requisition of the opposition, the National Assembly session held on Monday (April 15) faced lack of quorum and was prorogued within 20 minutes of its start. PPP’s Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari took oath as an MNA in the session.

Meanwhile, President Zardari will address the joint sitting of both houses of parliament today (Thursday) for the first time after being elected to the office last month. During his five-year stint in the office from 2008-2013, President Zardari had addressed the joint sitting of parliament six times. Now it will be his record seventh presidential address to the joint sitting of both houses of parliament.

Amid the ongoing political polarisation, it is expected that the president’s speech may face strong opposition from the PTI-led Sunni Ittehad Council.

The National Assembly Secretariat has finalised preparation for the joint sitting of parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) to be held on April 18, 2024. The Chief Justice of Pakistan, governors and chief ministers of all the provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, have been invited.

Besides, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, along with the three services chiefs, has also been invited. Speakers, deputy speakers all provincial assemblies, Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also invited.