President’s address to joint sitting to further strengthen democratic institutions: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, March 22 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday said that President Asif Ali Zardari’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament would further strengthen democratic institutions.Addressing a luncheon hosted in honour of the Parliamentarians belonging to the coalition parties here at the PM House, Gilani said the Presidential address was a constitutional requirement and would go a long way in consolidating democracy in the country.The Prime Minister said during the tenure of previous government, when the parliament was termed as a graduate-assembly, the President did not fulfil this constitutional obligation.
The then President (General Musharraf) not only did not address the Parliament, but also described the Assembly as ‘uncivilized’, Gilani remarked.
The Prime Minister lauded the political sagacity and acumen of the coalition partners and said it was the policy of reconciliation, which led to the successful completion of three years.
He termed the next two years as “electioneering years” and said the focus of PPP-led government should be on providing relief to the masses.
The Prime Minister urged the coalition parliamentarians to come up with solid suggestions for providing relief to common man.
Gilani said that he had also directed the Ministry of Finance to coordinate with the coalition members of Parliament for the release of funds to complete the people-oriented and public-welfare projects across the country.