ISLAMABAD, 01 JUNE (DNA) – President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said Pakistan’s democracy has been strengthened to the extent that it can endure various crises urging the democratic process must not derail.

The president’s address marks the beginning of a new parliamentary year and is mandatory under the Constitution. Addressing a joint session of the parliament, congratulating the people of Pakistan and parliamentarians on completing three democratic years, the president said the nation and the Parliament for successful completion of three years.

He urged the government to chalk out policies for the strength of democracy and prosperity. In his address, the President threw light on the performance of the government as well as the challenge of extremism and terrorism faced by the country and the achievements made by the security forces in this regard.

The president hoped that targets of the Zarb-e-Azb operation will be achieved by end of this year. To pay tribute to martyrs, he suggested construction of a national monument containing names of all those martyred in the war against terrorism.

The President also highlighted the steps taken by the government to improve economy and overcome energy shortages as well as its development agenda particularly the construction of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

He hailed the government for its economic agenda, especially the CPEC, urging it to continue the sequence of sustainable economic policies. Mamnoon Hussain insisted that sustainable development is not possible without stable democracy, saying the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has successfully guided the country on the path towards progress.

 “With the nation’s support, we will not allow anyone to derail the existing democratic system of the country,” the president clarified. President Mamnoon Hussain also reaffirmed the country’s commitment towards good relations with the neighbouring countries for peace and stability in the region.

“The foundation of our foreign policy is peaceful coexistence. It should not be considered our weakness,” he said. Pakistan’s foreign policy (designed on the Jinnah’s views) works on three principles, Hussain said, “Constructive diplomacy, non-interference, and trade and economic cooperation”.

Hussain added, “We do not wish to be aggressive towards any nation and intend to participate with honesty in national and global affairs”. The President expressed his concerns over stalled peace talks with India despite Pakistan’s cooperation, including in Pathankot attack investigation.

“We are really concerned over foreign secretary level talks which are not moving ahead despite Pakistan’s full cooperation.” Regarding Pakistan’s inclusion in 35-country alliance, he said Pakistan’s role in the coalition is very important.

The president highlighted Kashmir issue, saying that peace in the region could not be restored without resolution of the dispute. The president said, “We believe Kashmir issue is the cause of tension in the region that needs to be resolved as per the UN resolutions”.

“We have conveyed in the last year’s UN General Assembly session that we are open to continued talks with our neighbours,” he said. The President said Pakistan has a foolproof security system of its nuclear arsenal. He dismissed the impression of any security loophole.

The President gave guidelines to the government on important issues facing the nation, including tax collection and energy crisis. The President called for political harmony and unity among political parties for stability in economy. “The opposition cannot impose its agenda through unlawful and undemocratic means.”

“LNG import from Qatar greatly addressed the issue of fuel shortage in the country. I hope that we will successfully overcome this crisis soon,” he said. The President also highlighted the issue of minority, saying that Islam doesn’t allow highhandedness with minorities.

Referring to the Panama Papers Leak, he stressed that the opposition cannot impose its will on the government through meaningless tactics. The President’s address to the joint parliamentary session at the advent of a new parliamentary year is mandatory under the Constitution. The joint session was also attended by three service chiefs. DNA