President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday described the incorporation of the 17th amendment into the Constitution as historic, stating that the resultant checks and balances would impart permanence to the democratic system, and the parliament would complete its tenure.
"Nobody is permanent, only Pakistan is permanent, this system is for Pakistan and for stability of democracy, I am sure there will be political stability, and the Parliament will complete its tenure of five years", the President told members of the National Assembly, belonging to PML and its allied parties.
He earlier had accorded his assent to the 17th Constitutional Amendment Bill.
Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who flanked the President, thanked the President for making it possible for the government and the MMA to arrive at a consensus on the issue of the Legal Framework Order (LFO).
"The President's gesture will go a long way in promoting and strengthening democracy in the country", said Jamali.
The prime minister assured that now the contentious issues are behind us, he and his colleagues would focus on economic development of the country.
The President, in his address, congratulated both the government and the MMA on the landmark agreement on the LFO, and urged the elected representatives to a governance, that is free from corruption and nepotism, adding the corruption and nepotism was hallmark of some of the elected governments of the past and damaged the national institutions.
He underlined that it is only through recognition of merit and rule of the law that Pakistan can be taken forward on the path of progress and stability.
The President said Pakistan is blessed with vast natural and human resources and good governance at this economically stake off stage will drive the country to sustained economic progress.
"The elected representatives have to lead the nation in staying above all other considerations, and keep national interests supreme", he added.
In this context, he highlighted the importance of putting the right man at the right place.
He asserted that it was due to this very fact that national institutions, including Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan Railways and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation came out of stagnation and became profitable organisations in a matter of few years.
He described the recent privatisation of the Habib Bank Limited as a step that would encourage further foreign investment in the country.
He expressed the hope that country would attract investment in the remaining part of the current financial year in sectors, including information technology and fertilisers.
"I am sure that with the completion of mega projects initiated in the last few years and greater foreign investment, there will be massive employment opportunities for people and a considerable reduction in poverty", he added.
The President also underscored the importance of continuity of the local government system for sustained progress at the grassroots level, adding: "The system is in the interest of the poor people and backward areas of Pakistan as it bridges the gap between formulation and implementation of policies. The irritants that have surfaced in the implementation stage will be resolved in consultation with the provincial government and elected representatives."
Musharraf also referred to the vital role that elected representative could play in curbing and controlling extremism in the society and projecting a true picture of Pakistan as a progressive, dynamic and moderate Islamic country.
The prime minister thanked all allied parties and the MMA for their support in resolve the constitutional issues in the interest of democracy.
He said the government would continue the economic policies without any break to lead the nation towards sustained progress.
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