President Asif Ali Zardari addressed the joint session of the parliament

President Asif Ali Zardari addressed the joint session of the parliament

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the government has successfully met enormous challenges‚ established rule of law and assured supremacy of the Parliament. In a wide-ranging address to the Parliament‚ a landmark fifth‚ and the first in country s history for a civilian elected President Zardari said the government has moved with speed and determination to strengthen the Federation by redressing imbalance between powers of the Centre and the provinces. He said we have pursued the politics of reconciliation and harmony. He said we have worked hard to generate consensus. The President said the coalition government was formed to deepen democracy and all worked together to restore the 1973 Constitution. He said as President‚ I surrendered my powers. And today‚ the Prime Minister‚ the Chief Executive‚ enjoys full authority as required by law. "He described it as "a shining moment for our parliament" and added history will remember this achievement‚ just as the nation remembers Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the architects of the 1973 Constitution. Mentioning the measures taken to balance the powers of the Centre and the provinces‚ President Zardari said the government abolished the Concurrent List and transferred 18 ministries to the provinces and enhanced provincial autonomy. He said the Council of Common Interests was made fully functional and added this great transformation was achieved with complete agreement of all the stakeholders. This shows complete unity of our nation in adopting legislation to make our country strong and democracy more inclusive. "The President acknowledged that while a lot more needs to be done‚ a strong beginning has been made. "We Pakistanis can be proud of our young democracy‚" he said and pointed the world can today see that the march of democracy goes on and "together we are creating history. "President Asif Ali Zardari also vowed general election to be held in a free and fair manner during the new parliamentary year. The President mentioned the 20th Amendment which he said ensures the independence of Election Commission and the selection of an impartial care-taker government through a process of consultation in the Parliament.The opposition started to chant slogans as soon as the session began and later boycotted the session and left the hall. Acknowleding Prime Minister Gilani s political wisdom, the President said Prime Minister Gilani deserves unqualified appreciation for his political wisdom says Zardari. Ambassadors of different countries were also present in the guests’ gallery to hear the speech of the president.Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad was not present. Tight security has been arranged around the parliament house and across the capital on this occasion.

Will not write letter to Swiss authorities: PM Gilani

Will not write letter to Swiss authorities: PM Gilani

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has clearly stated he would not be writing the letter to Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani added that he was willing to face the six month imprisonment sentence for contempt of court. Speaking during a rally in Mailsi the Prime Minister repeated what he had said earlier while speaking to students in Bahawalpur. The prime minister reiterated that writing the letter would be in violation of article 6 of the constitution which was treason and carried the death sentence. Gilani said that if he did not write the letter he would be sentenced to six months imprisonment for contempt of court. Prime Minister Gilani further said he could leave politics but could not betray the PPP adding that he was the Prime Minister and not a peon. 

Nayyar Bukhari named Chairman, Sabir Baloch Dy Chairman Senate

Nayyar Bukhari named Chairman, Sabir Baloch Dy Chairman Senate

ISLAMABAD: In a high-level meeting held under the chair of President Asif Ali Zardari PPP’s Nayyar Bukhari and Sabir Baloch have been named as Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate respectively, Geo News reported.According to presidency spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, senior leaders of the ruling alliance attended the meeting held here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.Earlier, the names of former law minister Babar Awan, senior leader Raza Rabbani, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar Aitzaz Ahsan and Nayyar Bukhari were deliberated by the PPP leadership.Moreover, Awami National Party chief Asfand Yar Wali Khan was told that Senate Deputy Chairmanship could not be given to the ANP as the PPP was considering giving the seat to a senator from Balochistan. After the announcement Senator Nayyar Bukhari expressed gratitude over his nomination as the Chairman Senate vowing to live up to the expectations of his party. 

firing incident in Turbat

Five people have been killed in firing incident in Turbat.

Unknown men opened fire on a bus stand in Turbat, resulting in five killings.

The injured, whose number is not immediately known, have been shifted to hospital.

Waheeda Shah disqualified

Election Commission has disqualified Waheeda Shah from holding public office for two years. 

The Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan heard the case of Waheeda Shah on Tuesday and had reserved the verdict till today (March 7). On the other hand, Waheeda had sought unconditional apology, but it was turned down the matter being a state matter as declared by the Apex Court.  Waheeda has been declared ineligible for two years. The ECP has also decided to hold fresh elections in her constituency PS 57 Tando Muhammad Khan. Arrangements for re-polling would be made after further orders from the ECP.EC member from Sindh had given dissenting vote, but the majority decision went against Waheeda Shah who had slapped polling staff. On Monday, the provincial election commission completed enquiry report against Waheeda Shah and submitted the report to the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan. Waheeda Shah had tortured Presiding Officer Habiba Memon and others during the polling of by-elections on February 25.It is pertinent to mention here that presiding officer Habiba Memon had pardoned Waheeda Shah.