Zardari cautions govt against canals project

ISLAMABAD: In the presidential address to the joint session of Parliament, President Asif Ali Zardari has cautioned Parliament that some of unilateral policies of the federal government are causing grave strain on the federation, saying that he cannot support them.

“I urge this government to abandon this current proposal and work together with all stakeholders to come up with viable, sustainable solutions based on unanimous consensus among the federating units, he said while mentioning the issue of diverting canals from the Indus River.

Amid noisy protests by the PTI-backed opposition, President Zardari called for putting national interest above personal and political differences. He urged lawmakers to work together to revive the economy, strengthen democracy, and uphold the rule of law. “I urge all of you to empower our people, make decisions of national importance with consensus, encourage domestic and international investments for economic growth and job creation, foster social and economic justice, and ensure fairness and transparency in our system,” he said.

The session jointly chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of both houses of Parliament, while the governors, three chief ministers, members of diplomatic corps witnessed the proceedings from the galleries.

Praising the government’s steps to bring economic stability to the country, the president advised all federating units to effectively deal with the challenges of climate change and growing population, and to move forward together instead of making unilateral decisions on the issue of diverting canals from the Indus River.

Opposition-led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) started the protest as President Zardari approached the dice for the presidential addressed with raising the slogan and displaying placards.

The opposition continued to raise slogans in favour of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan, and kept it throughout the address. The president, however, continued his address with headphones on, marking his eighth time addressing a joint session of Parliament—a record for a civilian president.

“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.

The president said he would like to again invite the attention of this House to fulfil the responsibility entrusted to this Parliament and play its role in nation-building, strengthening institutions and improving governance. “Let us strive to build a Pakistan that is just, prosperous, and inclusive and make the best use of this parliamentary year,” he said.

Zardari stated that as the President of Pakistan, he had been elected by all four provincial assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan.

Opposing the proposal of carving out the canals, the president said, “A proposal that I as your president cannot support. I urge this government to abandon this current proposal and work together with all stakeholders to come up with viable, sustainable solutions based on unanimous consensus among the federating units.”

In the constitutional framework, he said, it was his duty to represent the federation and it was his constitutional duty as president, his personal obligation as a patriotic Pakistani, to caution this House and the government, that some of its unilateral policies were causing grave strain on the federation. “In the most challenging of circumstances, when my wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, I was the one who chanted “Pakistan Khappay”. For me, Pakistan always comes first,” he said.

The president urged Parliament on its new parliamentary year to focus on promoting good governance, and political and economic stability. “Our people have pinned their hopes on parliament, and we must rise to meet their expectations,” he said.

He said it was his first duty to remind them that we need to work harder to strengthen our democratic system, restore public confidence in the rule of law, and put Pakistan on the road to prosperity.

Appreciating and acknowledging the government for economic stability, the president said he would like to appreciate the government’s efforts for putting the country on a positive path to economic growth as our foreign exchange reserves witnessed a surge.

He said there was a substantial increase in foreign direct investment and the stock market also surged to a historic high and the government also reduced the policy rate from 22 percent to 12 percent, and all other economic indicators have shown a healthy sign of improvement.

Speaking on the issue of high rate of population, the president stressed the need for tackle the issue and said the high rate of our population growth along with strategic drift in our administrative machinery has increased governance issues manifold.

It is his considered opinion that this House should take its responsibilities seriously, and play its role in a real re-set of our governance and service delivery outcomes. “As far as the government is concerned, ministries too need to redefine their vision and objectives, and understand that pressing issues faced by the people of Pakistan have to be resolved within a certain timeframe. We need to deliver tangible benefits to restore the trust of the people in democratic institutions,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of democracy, President Zardari said democracy needs give and take, and what better place to work on collective goals than this Parliament. “As elected representatives, you function as role models for the nation. As you go about your parliamentary business think beyond narrow goals. Think of the unity and consensus our country so desperately need,” he said.

The president called for promoting inclusive and uniform development, ensuring that no province, district, or village is left behind. “This House should ensure that development is not limited to a few selected areas but reaches every nook and corner of the country. The ignored and neglected areas demand urgent attention from the federal government,” he said. He stressed the need for investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to address the sense of deprivation in underdeveloped regions.

“It is my firm belief that a strong Pakistan is one where the fruits of progress and development are equally shared by all its provinces and citizens.”

The president stressed need to address people’s sense of deprivation, and said Parliament is the one forum where any sense of deprivation cannot just be aired constructively but also addressed with political empathy by the executive branch. “That is the test of real statecraft,” he said.

President Zardari also emphasised the importance of improving the taxation system. “We must reform and expand our tax net—not by overburdening those who already contribute, but by ensuring that every eligible taxpayer participates in nation-building,” he said. He called for diversifying exports, focusing on value-added goods and services, and exploring new markets to build a competitive export-oriented economy. “We need to make our IT industry the key driver of economic growth. We should focus on building digital and information highways, investing in IT parks, enhancing internet accessibility and speed, and supporting the growth of our technology-driven economy,” he added.

He urged the government to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and encourage young people to enter the business world through SME-focused programmes, skill development initiatives, and accessible loan schemes. “We must ensure easier access to credit, address procedural and bureaucratic hurdles, and create policies that promote youth-led businesses,” he said.

The president urged the House to play its role in improving the ease of doing business. Investors, small businesses, and international companies must find Pakistan an attractive destination for investment, he added.

President Zardari called for relief for the common man, acknowledging that laborers and the salaried class were facing serious economic hardships due to inflation, high prices of essential items, and rising energy costs. “As we approach the next budget, I urge this Parliament and the government to provide real relief to the people,” he said. He recommended increasing salaries and pensions, reducing income taxes on the salaried class, and lowering energy costs in the forthcoming budget. “At the same time, we should avoid downsizing and job cuts. Instead, our focus should be on creating jobs and utilising trained manpower productively,” he added.

On women’s empowerment, President Zardari noted that women constitute almost 50 percent of the country’s population but are underrepresented in every aspect of life. He urged the government to enhance their representation in various sectors. “The most important intervention we can make as a government and Parliament is to make women at the bottom of the social pyramid financially independent, in accordance with the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto,” he said. He highlighted the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as a crucial lifeline for millions of families and called for its expansion and enhanced cash transfers.

Regarding the youth, Zardari emphasised that young people make up a significant proportion of Pakistan’s population. “They need hope and inspiration. We should ensure that no child is out of school in Pakistan,” he said. He called for promoting higher education, enhancing research in universities, and increasing allocations for the education sector in the upcoming budget. “This is also the moment for us to reflect on how we can enhance access to quality healthcare for all of our citizens, reduce the worrying incidence of malnutrition and polio vaccination in many children, and emphasise primary healthcare,” he added.

The president stressed the importance of domestic and regional connectivity for a prosperous Pakistan. “We need a strong and efficient transport infrastructure, road networks, and modernised Railways. Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan require special attention in terms of connectivity and development, as these regions are Pakistan’s strategic frontiers and vital to our national economy,” he said. He added that such development would not only reduce poverty but also kick-start the economy with new jobs, skills, and markets.

He also highlighted the significance of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port, calling for their full realisation to position Pakistan as a gateway for international trade, linking Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. He also urged the federal and provincial governments to strengthen the agriculture sector, ensure sustainable water management, and address the growing threats of climate change. “Agriculture is a key pillar of our economy, and it is imperative that we modernise this sector by adopting new farming techniques, developing better seeds, investing in agricultural research and development, and creating more jobs by making land more productive,” he said.

The president emphasised the need to improve farm productivity, increase livestock yield, and expand food exports by equipping farmers with modern tools. “We must aim for stability and self-sufficiency in food production. We need to focus on greater water availability and its efficient use. We must work toward innovative solutions such as bringing water from Tajikistan to Balochistan, upgrading irrigation systems, and utilising new technologies to conserve and distribute water,” he added. He also highlighted the potential of Pakistan’s fisheries and livestock sectors, calling for incentives, training, and support to make these industries a vital part of the country’s economic future.

On climate change, President Zardari noted that Pakistan is one of the countries most impacted by climate change. He called for restoring biodiversity, adopting adaptive strategies for food and water security, and preserving ecosystems. “We must invest in the promotion of renewable energy and electric vehicles. We must also focus on recharging our wetlands and rivers, so they emerge pollution-free and become once again the lifeline for livelihoods and rich marine ecosystems,” he said. He cited the example of the Sindh government’s successful mangrove plantation initiative, which earned carbon credits, and urged replicating this model nationwide.

Regarding internal and external security challenges, President Zardari emphasised the need to strengthen security capabilities and enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism. “Parliament needs to play a role in rebuilding a consensus to tackle extremist ideologies as well as the militancy that supports such violence. We are all aware of the external support and funding that terrorists are receiving today, causing human and financial losses to the nation. We must unite to ensure that these challenges do not gather more momentum because already thousands of our security forces have sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism, and we cannot allow resurgence again,” he said. He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the armed forces and called for focusing on the development of regions most affected by terrorism to address the root causes of militancy.

The president further assured that they were committed to eradicating this menace with the support of our nation and brave armed forces. Successful intelligence-based operations had led to the dismantling of terrorist networks that sought to destabilise the nation.

“The entire nation is proud of its security forces and pays rich tribute to their bravery, dedication, and the countless sacrifices they have made in service to the country. At the same time, we should not forget that militancy finds roots in deprivation and inequity, so we must focus on the development of regions most affected by terrorism and create employment,” he opined.

Outside the borders, he said, the world was in different stages of transition. Pakistan remained committed to regional peace, stability, and economic integration.

“Our foreign policy will always be guided by national interests, international cooperation, and the principles of sovereignty and mutual respect. We should enhance our cooperation with friendly regional countries in the areas of trade, economy, climate, and cultural exchanges. We will continue to play our role as a responsible and peace-loving nation,” he said.

The president reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong ties with China, describing the relationship as a cornerstone of diplomacy. “We will further cement our All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China and continue to support the One-China Policy. During my recent visit to China, I held fruitful discussions with the Chinese leadership, inviting them to make more investments in CPEC to improve regional and economic integration,” he said. He also appreciated the support of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkiye, and other friendly nations, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Gulf, Central Asia, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“The recent successful counterterrorism cooperation between the US and Pakistan is encouraging. The two countries should build on these successes to renew and enhance cooperation for joint goals,” he added.

On the issue of Kashmir, President Zardari expressed grave concern over the plight of Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “The people of Kashmir have been suffering for decades under unjust occupation, oppression, and brutal human rights violations by successive Indian regimes. Pakistan will always stand by them in their struggle for self-determination. We reaffirm our unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people and call upon the international community to take decisive action against the atrocities being committed by the Indian occupation forces. The voice of the oppressed will not be silenced, and Pakistan will continue to raise this issue at every international forum,” he said.

While three chief ministers were present, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur did not attend. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti were seated in the Speaker’s Gallery. Punjab Governor Saleem Haider, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori were also present.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif was the centre of attention during the session. While the president was delivering his speech, several members of the National Assembly, including Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Minister of State Wajiha Qamar, went to meet the Punjab chief minister.

The service chiefs of the three armed forces did not attend the session. Prior to the president’s address, a photo of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was placed in front of the president’s dais.

Meanwhile, talking to the media after the presidential address, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that President Zardari had made a historic speech.

He said though the president praised the government for improving the economy in his speech yet he also pointed out problems.

Bilawal said the behaviour of the opposition showed that they were not interested in public issues. “Unfortunately, it has to be said that the opposition is not serious. The behaviour of the opposition shows that they are not interested in public issues . . . the opposition’s only goal is only its politics,” he said.

Later, leaders of opposition parties criticised the president’s address, claiming he failed to deliver a speech that should unite the federating units.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub charged that Asif Ali Zardari calls himself president, but they do not accept this “installed government.”

Speaking to the media at the Parliament House, the opposition leader alleged that both Asif Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto were planning to sell Sindh’s water.

Omar Ayub claimed that Karachi’s water was being sold, the government had incurred a debt of more than four trillion rupees, inflation was on the rise, and a wheat crisis was looming.

He asserted that Zardari did not say anything meaningful and failed to prove that democracy exists in the country. He questioned what was special about the presidential address and why celebrations were underway when there was nothing noteworthy about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government.

“Today, we saw the remains of Zardari behind Benazir’s picture. In today’s speech, Zardari could not prove that there is democracy in Pakistan,” he emphasised.

He accused the president of supporting the government of “Form 47” and the PECA law, adding that the current government had failed economically, corruption was at its peak, and they were celebrating as if inflation has decreased. “Come with us and find out whether inflation has decreased or increased,” he challenged the rulers.

The opposition leader claimed that there was no rule of law in Pakistan, which is why foreign investment was not coming in, and another 20 million people in the country have fallen below the poverty line.

He said that Zardari did not go past the opposition chamber; he is still a controversial president and that their protest would continue like it was today. “Decisions have always been made outside the House; the House has not been given priority,” he added.

Omar Ayub pointed out that the House is incomplete, reiterating that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province has had no representation in the Senate for a year. “The Senate is not complete. All these illegal measures are being taken. In such a situation, the country is facing serious threats,” he cautioned.

He highlighted that Balochistan had been under lockdown for three days, while the situation in the KP province was dire, with brave soldiers sacrificing their lives.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that President Zardari did not show any signs of fostering unity within the federation, which is why they welcomed him with protests.

“Today, we saw Zardari’s legacy behind Benazir’s picture. In today’s speech, he could not prove that there is democracy in Pakistan, and he remains a controversial president,” Gohar said.

He added that they did not like the president’s address at all, as it failed to deliver a speech that unites all the federating units. “President Zardari failed to play a role in uniting the entire nation. I have not heard his speech.”

Earlier, speaking to the media, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Syed Shibli Faraz stated that the party would protest peacefully during the joint session of Parliament. He alleged that the worst dictatorship had been established in the name of democracy in the country, against which the opposition would protest in the joint session.

He added that various protest options are being considered for the release of Imran Khan after Eid, as “we have no hope of justice from the judiciary”.

“All the laws passed in this House have no moral or legal status. There is no representation of a province in the Senate. Without the representation of a province, how are elections held, and how are bills being passed?” he questioned.

Sunni Ittehad Council supremo Sahibzada Hamid Raza said that the release of the PTI founder should be secured without any deal, predicting Imran Khan’s release within three to four months.