ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Thursday delivered his constitutionally mandated address to a joint sitting of parliament at the beginning of the second parliamentary year of the National Assembly under the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, the chiefs of the navy and air force, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee attended the session.
Members of the opposition started raising slogans of “Go Niazi Go” – targeted at Prime Minister Imran – as soon as President Alvi began his speech.
Alvi started his address by congratulating the lower house of parliament on completing its first year under the PTI government.
“It is my constitutional responsibility to review the parliament’s performance,” President Alvi said, amid loud opposition protest.
Referring to India’s revocation of occupied Kashmir’s special autonomy, he said: “India has violated its own constitution as well as the Simla Agreement with its illegal actions [in occupied Kashmir].
“The government has raised the issue in the United Nations Security Council and other platforms very successfully.
“It is a huge accomplishment for the government that the UNSC held a session on the issue after more than 50 years, despite India trying its best to prevent that from happening.
“[I] thank the friendly countries that understood the seriousness of the Kashmir issue, especially China, and raised it in the UN,” he said. The president also lauded what he called a successful visit by the prime minister to the United States.
“Pakistan is with its Kashmiri brethren. We will continue to extend moral support; we were, we are and will always be with the Kashmiris.
“India’s illegal actions have threatened peace in the region. Pakistan has always responded to India’s warmongering with offers of dialogue.
“India has stepped up ceasefire violations at the Line of Control.
“India has always sponsored terrorism on Pakistani soil; Kulbhushan Jadhav is an example. He has confessed that he is a serving officer and was sent to ignite tensions in Balochistan.”
The president said the world will have to acknowledge that India is being ruled by a “fascist party” – the Bharatiya Janata Party.
President Alvi said the state of Madina was the first to issue a human rights charter. “I am glad that the prime minister is personally reviewing every ministry’s performance.
“The Citizens’ Portal initiative is very admirable and I hope it will improve.
“I want to emphasise that it is important for the development of economy to move towards a technology-based economic system.
“The IT sector must be promoted and youth must be provided with IT and AI training. Development in IT will lead to a stronger democracy.”
He noted that an increase in exports and decline in imports has reduced the current account deficit and foreign reserves have also risen in the past year.
The president emphasised the documentation of all businesses to prevent smuggling and said the tax forms should be made easier.
“A lack of accountability has damaged the country’s economy,” he said. “Corruption eats up the roots of any nation. Unfortunately, our country has been suffering due to this.”