President Asif Ali Zardari will address the joint session of the Parliament toady (Saturday). In his maiden speech to the joint sitting of central legislature, the president is expected to spell out policy to tackle the challenges on political, economic as well as war on terror on the face of increasing US violation of Pakistan western border.
Some political analysts are not expecting much from the address because they think that the country is not in a position to remain in war-like situation anymore and the government will have to take tough decisions against the expectations of people.
One of the major expectations from the government is to review Pakistan's war on terror policy pursued by former president Pervez Musharraf. But, there is very little space available for the government to make any major shift as the US has been pressing the civilian government to do more.
Musharraf had two caps; one was chief of army staff and the other was civilian president with most of the powers in his hands. In contrast, Zardari is civilian head of the state and he will have to take the military leadership on board while taking any decision on the security issue.
On political front, Zardari can deliver easily and protect himself by transferring all the powers to the elected parliament, which is the salient feature of PPP's election manifesto. He can muster the support of major political parties by repealing the 17th Amendment and 58-2b that empowers him to dissolve the parliament. Zardari is also being asked to quit the office of PPP co-chairman.
However, political circles are of the view that he may not fulfil the expectations of his allies and opponents in term of strengthening the parliament by stripping himself off these powers. Zardari would be the seventh President to address the joint sitting of the Parliament after being elected as president on September 6.
His address to the joint sitting of Parliament is being described as a milestone in the country's history, as within two weeks of his election he will spell out government policy on important national issues before the public representatives. Zardari is also addressing the parliament at a time when the country economic fundamentals are in extremely bad shape.
The country needs to have answers to major economic challenges and his address could give a direction to the government on economic front. During the last six months, the government has not been able to deliver on any front.
Chief spokesman for PPP, Farhatullah Babar said that it was going to be an important event and the president is addressing the parliament in less than 15 days after taking oath. "It is normally a speech prepared by the government in which the president reviews the entire working of the government and enunciates its domestic and foreign policies," he added.
Some political analysts are not expecting much from the address because they think that the country is not in a position to remain in war-like situation anymore and the government will have to take tough decisions against the expectations of people.
One of the major expectations from the government is to review Pakistan's war on terror policy pursued by former president Pervez Musharraf. But, there is very little space available for the government to make any major shift as the US has been pressing the civilian government to do more.
Musharraf had two caps; one was chief of army staff and the other was civilian president with most of the powers in his hands. In contrast, Zardari is civilian head of the state and he will have to take the military leadership on board while taking any decision on the security issue.
On political front, Zardari can deliver easily and protect himself by transferring all the powers to the elected parliament, which is the salient feature of PPP's election manifesto. He can muster the support of major political parties by repealing the 17th Amendment and 58-2b that empowers him to dissolve the parliament. Zardari is also being asked to quit the office of PPP co-chairman.
However, political circles are of the view that he may not fulfil the expectations of his allies and opponents in term of strengthening the parliament by stripping himself off these powers. Zardari would be the seventh President to address the joint sitting of the Parliament after being elected as president on September 6.
His address to the joint sitting of Parliament is being described as a milestone in the country's history, as within two weeks of his election he will spell out government policy on important national issues before the public representatives. Zardari is also addressing the parliament at a time when the country economic fundamentals are in extremely bad shape.
The country needs to have answers to major economic challenges and his address could give a direction to the government on economic front. During the last six months, the government has not been able to deliver on any front.
Chief spokesman for PPP, Farhatullah Babar said that it was going to be an important event and the president is addressing the parliament in less than 15 days after taking oath. "It is normally a speech prepared by the government in which the president reviews the entire working of the government and enunciates its domestic and foreign policies," he added.
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