As the President and a patriotic Pakistani, I warn the House and the government that unilateral policies are putting immense pressure on the federation – Zardari
I urge the government to abandon the current proposal so that a feasible and sustainable solution can be reached based on consensus among all stakeholders and federal units. – President of Pakistan
There is a need to establish consensus on tackling militancy. We are all aware of the external support and funding that terrorists are receiving today. We cannot allow terrorism to rise again.
I urge everyone to empower their people, make decisions of national importance through consensus, and encourage investment to drive economic growth and employment opportunities. – Address to Parliament
Islamabad (Monitoring Desk)
President Asif Ali Zardari, while addressing the joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the parliamentary year, said that he could not support the proposal to extract more canals from the Indus River as President.
President Asif Zardari said, “I want to draw the House’s attention to a concerning matter for the federation. As the President of Pakistan and a patriotic Pakistani, it is my personal responsibility to warn the House and the government that some of your unilateral policies are putting immense pressure on the federation. In particular, the government has made a unilateral decision to extract more canals from the Indus River system despite strong opposition from federal units.”
He added, “As President, I cannot support this proposal. I urge the government to abandon the current proposal and work together with all stakeholders to find a feasible and sustainable solution based on consensus among the federal units.”
Asif Zardari stated that strengthening democracy and restoring public trust in the rule of law requires hard work. More effort is needed to put Pakistan on the path to prosperity. He commended the government’s efforts to steer the country towards economic growth, highlighting an increase in foreign exchange reserves, a significant rise in direct foreign investment, and record-breaking stock market performance.
Addressing Parliament as a civilian President for the eighth time, he remarked that the demographic structure of our country has changed. The lack of strategic thinking in our administrative machinery, coupled with population growth, has exacerbated governance issues. The House must take its responsibilities seriously and play a role in restructuring governance and service delivery outcomes. Ministries also need to redefine their vision and objectives, ensuring that pressing public issues are addressed within a set timeframe.
He urged everyone to empower the people, make nationally significant decisions through consensus, and encourage domestic and international investment to drive economic growth and employment opportunities. He emphasized promoting social and economic justice, ensuring fairness and transparency in the system, and ensuring equal development for all regions of the country.
“I firmly believe that a strong Pakistan is one where the benefits of development reach all provinces and citizens equally. We must actively promote inclusive and equitable development, ensuring that no province, district, or village is left behind. Parliament must ensure that development is not limited to a few selected areas but reaches every corner of the country. Neglected and underdeveloped areas require the federal government’s immediate attention.”
To address regional deprivation, investment in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities is essential. Parliament serves as a platform to address any sense of deprivation constructively, and the executive branch can alleviate such concerns with political empathy.
To move forward as a nation, it is crucial to reform and expand the tax system. Instead of overburdening existing taxpayers, every eligible taxpayer should contribute to nation-building. Pakistan must diversify its exports and focus on valuable goods and services.
The IT industry must be positioned as a key driver of economic growth. Investment should be made in building digital and information highways, IT parks, expanding internet access and speed, and developing a technology-based economy. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) require sustainable support.
Access to credit must be facilitated, bureaucratic hurdles must be removed, and policies should be designed to promote youth-led startups. Young entrepreneurs should be encouraged through SME-focused programs, skill development initiatives, and easy loan schemes. Parliament must play a role in improving ease of doing business, making Pakistan an attractive destination for investors, small businesses, and international companies.
Today, the common citizen, laborers, and salaried individuals are facing severe economic hardships. Our people are burdened by inflation, high prices of essential commodities, and rising energy costs. I urge this Parliament and the government to provide real relief to the people in the next budget. The government must take measures in the upcoming budget to increase salaries and pensions, reduce income tax on salaried individuals, and lower energy costs. We must avoid job losses and focus on creating employment opportunities and utilizing a skilled workforce.
Women are underrepresented in every sector of life. It is crucial to increase their representation in various fields and empower them. The government and Parliament must financially empower marginalized women in line with the vision of the late Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. The Benazir Income Support Program is a vital lifeline for millions of families and should be expanded in reach and funding.
Youth make up a significant portion of our population and need hope and encouragement.
It must be ensured that no child in Pakistan remains out of school. Promoting higher education, increasing research in universities, and fostering a knowledge-based economy should be our primary goals. I urge federal and provincial governments to allocate more funds for the education sector at a macro level in the next budget, providing more opportunities for youth through scholarships and financial aid programs.
We must also expand access to quality healthcare for all citizens, address malnutrition in children, and reduce alarming cases of polio. Primary healthcare facilities should be prioritized.
National and regional connectivity is fundamental to a prosperous Pakistan. A strong and efficient transport infrastructure, road networks, and a modern railway system are essential. Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan require special attention in terms of connectivity and development. These regions are Pakistan’s strategic borders and are vital to our national economy. Focusing on these areas will help reduce poverty, create jobs, develop skills, and boost markets and the economy.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port hold a central place in our connectivity and communication vision. These projects must be completed to establish Pakistan as a gateway for international trade.
I urge federal and provincial governments to strengthen the agriculture sector. Sustainable water management and addressing the growing threats of climate change require urgent coordination and action. Agriculture is a critical pillar of our economy and needs modernization, improved seed development, and investment in agricultural research and development. Increasing land productivity will create job opportunities.
Farmers must be equipped with modern tools to improve crop yields, boost livestock production, and enhance food exports. Achieving food security and self-sufficiency should be our ultimate goal.
We need to focus on increasing water availability and its effective use. New solutions, such as bringing water from Tajikistan to Balochistan, should be explored. The President emphasized upgrading the irrigation system, conserving water, and using new technologies for distribution. He highlighted the immense potential in our fisheries and livestock sectors, stating that Pakistan’s rivers, lakes, and coastal areas have untapped fishing opportunities. Commercial livestock farming could create new avenues for employment and exports.
The government should provide incentives, training, and support to the youth, making fisheries and livestock industries a key part of our economic future. He urged the government to seek greater collaboration with China in these sectors. Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change; therefore, we must focus on biodiversity restoration, food and water security strategies, and ecosystem conservation.
Investment should be made in renewable energy and the promotion of electric vehicles. Sindh’s mangroves are a shining example of what conservation efforts can achieve. I am pleased to share that we have planted two billion mangroves in Sindh. The Sindh government has also gained substantial financial benefits through carbon credits. We should actively replicate the Sindh mangrove model and leverage the international carbon credit market.
Given the current internal and external security challenges, we need to strengthen our security capabilities further. Law enforcement agencies must be equipped to combat terrorism effectively. Parliament must play a role in building consensus to counter extremist ideologies and militant violence. We are all aware of the external support and funding that terrorists are receiving today. We cannot allow terrorism to rise again.
Our foreign policy will always be based on national interests, international cooperation, sovereignty, and mutual respect. We must enhance cooperation with friendly regional countries in trade, economy, environment, and cultural exchange. As a responsible and peace-loving nation, we will continue to play our role. Our relations with China are the cornerstone of our diplomacy, and we will continue to strengthen our economic and strategic ties with Beijing. We deeply appreciate the support of our trusted friends—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and others—who have stood by us in times of economic challenges.
We are committed to further strengthening our long-standing historical, cultural, and economic ties with friendly nations in the Gulf and Central Asia, as well as with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The recent successful counterterrorism cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan is encouraging. Both countries should build on these successes to renew and enhance collaboration for shared objectives.
The plight of our brothers and sisters in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir remains a matter of deep concern for the entire nation. The Kashmiri people have endured illegal occupation, oppression, and brutal human rights violations by successive Indian governments for decades. Pakistan will always stand by the Kashmiri people in their struggle for the right to self-determination. The ongoing devastation in Palestine demands urgent global attention. The Palestinian people continue to endure violence, displacement, ethnic cleansing, and oppression. The establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital is essential for lasting peace in the region.
Let us work together to revive our economy, strengthen our democracy, and uphold the rule of law. Let us make the best use of this parliamentary year.