President Asif Ali Zardari will highlight the federal government’s performance in his address to the joint session of parliament on Monday, according to an official press release.
His address comes amid emerging tensions between the PML-N and his party, the PPP.
Although the two parties are allies in the ruling coalition at the Centre, the PPP has no ministers in the federal cabinet, despite its votes being crucial for the coalition’s stability.
Recently, several PPP leaders, including Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, have voiced frustration over what they describe as the PML-N’s “indifferent attitude” toward its ally. They have also raised concerns about being “sidelined” in Punjab, where the PML-N holds power.
Additionally, the PPP-led Sindh government has opposed the federal move to construct new canals from the Indus River to irrigate barren land in Punjab’s Cholistan region. The Sindh administration argues that these canals would diminish the province’s water share from the country’s largest river.
The joint session, attended by MNAs and Senators, is scheduled for 3 PM on Monday.
A parliamentary source told Dawn that while the president will primarily address governance issues, he may also point out some shortcomings of the current government.
According to Article 56 of the Constitution, the president is required to address both houses of parliament at the beginning of the first session of each parliamentary year. The National Assembly Secretariat has implemented strict security measures for the joint session.
