Zardari delivers swan song

In his sixth historic address to the joint session of parliament, President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday called for an end to political confrontation to effectively deal with the daunting challenges and strengthening the teething democracy in the country.
"We need reconciliation and not confrontation to go forward. Let not democratic forces challenge one another...we're confronted with serious challenges," Zardari said in his address to a joint session of the parliament to mark the beginning of the first parliamentary year following May 11 general election and formation of the new government.
President Zardari came to the House to address the joint sitting along with Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari amid thumping of desks.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, chiefs of three armed forces, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, chief ministers of all four provinces and diplomats also attended the session and all members quietly listened to the president's address, as uproar had been witnessed in the past on the occasions of presidential addresses. The most interesting thing was that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also thumped the desk during President Zaradri's speech which was seldom noticed in the past that a Prime Minister of another political party had ever lauded his rival's speech.
"We have fulfilled our promise of smooth transition of power from one democratically elected government to another. This democratic, peaceful transition marks the success of a prolonged struggle. A dream has come true. A promise has been redeemed. It is a triumph of all political parties and democratic forces. It is a triumph of the people of Pakistan...let there be no doubt or mistake about it," Zardari added.
He congratulated newly-elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif‚ NA Speaker and members of National Assembly and expressed the hope that they would rise to the expectations of the people. "I should begin by once again congratulating the new elected Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif...he's been entrusted with a great responsibility by the voters and elected parliament," he added.
The President also congratulated people of Pakistan for their participation in the recently held elections, saying they demonstrated courage in defying threats by the enemies of democracy, adding "it shows that the ethos of our people is democratic." There is no place for dictatorship in today's Pakistan, he said, adding the people have spoken through their vote. "Their voice has been heard...demonstrated by the smooth transfer of power," he added.
"There have been calls to punish those who subverted the Constitution. It is for this august Parliament and the government to devise an appropriate and wise policy, he said, adding "I assure you of my support in this regard." About the recently held general elections, the President said: "I commend all political parties and their leaders for accepting the polls result despite reservations...together they've added to the grace and glory of democracy".
The President took great pride over the constitutional amendments made during the last five years, saying it is a matter of great satisfaction that the parliament purged the constitution of undemocratic articles. "It made the constitution truly democratic. Provincial rights as well as parliamentary sovereignty have been restored...it abolished concurrent legislative list and transferred all subjects to the provinces," he maintained.
He went on to say that the amendments banished Article 58(2)(b) that hung over the parliament like a sword. The Council of Common Interests (CCI) has been strengthened...oil, gas and natural resources within a province now belong jointly to the province and the federal government, he recalled.
Zardari said that there is need to take hard decisions without delay to address challenges facing the country and carry forward the fruits of democracy to the grass-roots level. "There is also need to learn from past mistakes and not to repeat them, which calls for a truth and reconciliation commission," he added. About the never ending drone attacks in tribal areas of Pakistan, Zardari categorically said US drone strikes are unacceptable and maintained that drones are a serious violation of sovereignty and international law.
They are also counterproductive and are not acceptable, he said adding the US strikes are not useful in the war on terror. Zardari said that Pakistan will work to improve relations with all countries in the region, including India by seeking peaceful resolution of issues like Kashmir while ensuring that its soil is not used for terrorism against any other nation.
"We are seeking to improve relations with all countries in the region. The Prime Minister has already given the guideline. The goal of prosperity and development will not be achieved without regional peace," he said. About relations with India, he said Pakistan wants to improve relations with India, adding steps have been taken to liberalise trade with India and we want a peaceful settlement of the water issue.
"We seek a peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir issue, in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. We do not want an arms race in the region," he told members of the Senate and the National Assembly, including newly elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He further said that Pakistan will not allow its soil to be used for terrorism directed against any other country, and called for a two-pronged approach combining dialogue and the use of force to tackle militancy and terrorism.
"The government will not allow the use of our soil for terrorist activities against any other country. We will also not allow anyone to violate our sovereignty. The sovereignty of Pakistan must be protected at all costs," he said as lawmakers, including Sharif, thumped the desks. Describing militancy, extremism and terrorism as the greatest threat to Pakistan's national security, he said: "The nation is united against militancy. We need strong leadership to overcome the threat."
"We are ready to make peace with those willing to give up violence. But we should also be ready to use force against those who challenge the writ of the state," he said. The government will also undertake the economic development of militancy-hit areas. Pakistan is determined to root out militancy but the menace is not an issue of any single country, Zardari said, adding militancy threatens all countries in the region and indeed the whole world. "It calls for sincere and collective efforts of all. We can fight militancy better through dialogue and co-operation rather than doubting each other," he added.
"Peace and reconciliation in Balochistan must receive high priority. We need to address the issue of missing persons. A Commission on Missing Persons has already been set up. It has also made some progress. But a lot more needs to be done. It can be done. The cycle of poverty must be broken," he said. The President also stressed the need to take measure to stop the misuse of blasphemy law. "We need to take measure to prevent the misuse of the blasphemy law for settling personal and political scores," he added.