President Asif Ali Zardari Monday stressed the need to avoid confrontation and pursue “reconciliation” by setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for strengthening democracy. Addressing a joint sitting of the Parliament, for a record sixth-time, the President said, “We need to learn the truth about past mistakes in order not to repeat them” and emphasized to carry forward the fruits of democracy to the grassroots level. The President, while congratulating the newly elected Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said, it was an honour for him to be the first elected civilian in country’s history to oversee the transfer of power in a democratic manner.
“It is a cause for which Shaheed Benazir Bhutto dedicated her life ... It is a cause for which I spent 11 and a half years in prison ... It is a cause for which Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif suffered imprisonment and exile ... Democracy has arrived.”
The President also called for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and expressed the confidence that as democracy takes roots the government will be able to deliver.
“I have no doubt that we will rise to the dream that our founding fathers had about Pakistan,” the President said and added a lot can be achieved, “if we keep aside our prejudices and egos.”
“Let us renew our commitment to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Let us vow to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution.”
President Zardari stressed that every pillar of the state must operate within its constitutional limits.
“Let no organ of the state trespass into the domain of others,” the President remarked.
The President urged the democratic forces to come together and join ranks.The President recalled his first address to the Parliament, five years back when he had urged the Parliament to empower itself.
He termed it a matter of great satisfaction and pride that the Parliament purged the Constitution of undemocratic Articles under the 17th Amendment and the powers of the President under Article 58 (2)(B) of the Constitution.
President Zardari made it clear that the suspension and abrogation of the Constitution was an act of high treason.
“Let no one think of subverting the Constitution,” the President said and added “No court shall validate it.”
The President said the achievements of the Parliament were a great honour for the members of the august House.
“They have reasons to be proud. They brought about the first major Constitutional reform in more than three decades,” he said.
He said that earlier “piecemeal constitutional amendments” were designed to promote personal interests of the dictators.
“They were not meant to strengthen democracy or empower the people,” he said and added that the outgoing Parliament made a lasting contribution.
He said it made the Constitution truly democratic, provincial rights and Parliamentary sovereignty were restored, Concurrent Legislative List abolished and all subjects transferred to the provinces.
The President said the Article 58(2) (b) that hung over the Parliament like a sword was banished, Council of Common Interests strengthened, oil, gas and natural resources in a province now belong jointly to that province and the Federal Government adding, it also has an oversight role in the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner.
He said these were not small achievements, and all of it was achieved with consensus.
“I wish to compliment every single member of the outgoing parliament, commend the previous government, the coalition partners and indeed all political parties who made it possible.”
“Together they worked for democracy to take roots,” the President said.
The President’s historic address to the joint sitting of the Parliament, was attended by Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, Chief Ministers, Governors, Services Chiefs and diplomats.