ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari, in his address to the joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the 2nd parliamentary year, emphasized the need for empowering the people, making national decisions with consensus, encouraging both domestic and international investments for economic growth, fostering social and economic justice, and ensuring transparency in the system.
He urged the parliament 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. 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,” the president stated.
As the only civilian president to address the joint session for the 8th time, he stressed the House’s responsibility in nation-building, strengthening institutions, and improving governance. He highlighted the need to reform the taxation system, expanding the tax net without overburdening existing taxpayers, and ensuring everyone contributes to nation-building.
President Zardari called for measures in the upcoming budget to increase salaries and pensions, reduce income taxes for the salaried class, and lower energy costs to ease the financial burden on citizens. He discouraged job cuts, instead advocating for job creation and productive use of trained manpower.
He emphasized inclusive development, urging the House to ensure no province, district, or village is left behind. “Development should reach every corner of the country. Neglected areas demand urgent attention from the federal government,” he said. Investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities were necessary to address deprivation.
The president stressed diversifying exports by focusing on value-added goods and services. He encouraged building a competitive export-oriented economy by boosting the IT sector. “We must invest in digital highways, IT parks, and internet accessibility to drive economic growth,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), he pushed for easier access to credit, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and creating youth-led business policies. He called for supporting youth through SME programs, skill development initiatives, and accessible loan schemes.
President Zardari urged the House to improve the ease of doing business, making Pakistan an attractive destination for investors. Recognizing the economic hardships faced by citizens due to inflation and rising energy costs, he called on the government to provide real relief.
