Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari made a record fifth address to a joint sitting of parliament on Saturday but it was marred by shouting and chaos created by opposition parties that accused the government of failing the people. This is the first time a Pakistani president has made this address for five consecutive times to the same parliament.
He praised PM Gilani for his political wisdom and restrain. At the same time, he also apologised to the nation for mistakes that the government had made in Balochistan province. Amidst shouts of “shame, shame,” Zardari said he was happy that there was a democratic system where the opposition could voice its dissent. On relations with India, he said that concrete steps had already been taken to improve trade with New Delhi, but more now needs to be done on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
After the speech, opposition leader in parliament, Chaudhry Nisar of the PML-N party commented: “I wonder which Pakistan Zardari was talking about. The Pakistan we live in is in a state of misery.”