Lawmakers resume debate on Presidential address

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers on Thursday resumed debate on Presidential Address to the joint session of Parliament with most of them lauding President Zardari for addressing the Parliament for fourth consecutive time on the advent of new Parliamentary year.

Shahzada Mohiudeen, MNA from Chitral said that President Asif Ali Zardari deserved appreciation for addressing the joint sitting for fourth consecutive time. He said that the President took decisions for the larger interest of the country and was running the affairs of the country in an efficient way.

The President, he said, gave a happy news to the nation by informing that the country had not only achieved self-sufficiency in wheat but also exported 5,000 tons, worth million of rupees. He said that the agriculture sector was making significant progress due to prudent policies of the current government.

Gul Mohammad Jakhrani of PPP also congratulated President on becoming country's first democratically elected President to address the joint sitting for fourth consecutive year. He said that President's efforts to strengthen the democracy in country were historic.

The President handed over his powers to the Parliament which was highly commendable adding that the passage of 18th and 19th amendments was another milestone achieved during his tenure.

He said the President had quite realistically mentioned the challenges faced by the country.

MQM's Sheikh Salahudeen while lauding the Presidential address said that the President mentioned various challenges faced by the country at present. He stressed the need to devise a policy for providing relief to common man.

He said that some people were trying to give political colour to target killings in Karachi. The reality is that a group of land and drug mafia was involved in these killings, he said.

He said the President was making efforts for improving the situation in Karachi but he should also involve MQM for the purpose. He proposed that the petroleum prices be not be increased as it would affect the common man.

Taking part in the debate MNA Humayun Saifullah said that the passage of 18th and 19th Amendments was a historic step. He said efforts be made to lower inflation. Reducing inflation will also lower interest rate which would help increase GDP ratio in the country, he said.

He said Water Policy should be formulated to minimize flood losses in the country. He said construction of new dams was necessary to avoid flood losses. He said the rich people should be brought into tax net.