ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari minced no words on Monday in cautioning the PML-N-led federal government against its unilateral policies, particularly its decision to carve out new canals from the Indus river system, saying the project should be ‘abandoned’ as he being the head of the state could not support it.
Addressing the joint session of parliament to mark the beginning of the second parliamentary year, the president openly rejected the canal project and warned that such decisions were putting “grave strain on the federation”.
He made it clear that as president, he could not support the proposal and urged the government to abandon the plan and work toward a consensus-based solution involving all provinces.
While raising concerns over water distribution among provinces, Zardari’s public censure of the government adds to the political pressure on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and signals renewed tensions between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and its key ally, the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, on the issue.
Reminding that it was his constitutional duty and personal obligation to caution parliament and the government that some of its unilateral policies were causing grave strain on the federation, Zardari opposed the canal project, saying: “In particular, the government’s unilateral decision to carve out more canals from the Indus river system, despite strong opposition from federating units”.
Zardari’s remarks come at a time when tensions between the ruling PML-N and its key ally have been mounting over the canal project. The PPP, which leads the Sindh government, has been vocal in its opposition, arguing that Punjab’s unilateral expansion of irrigation infrastructure threatens Sindh’s already dwindling water share.
With the PPP already pressing for an urgent meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on the matter, the latest remarks signal that the dispute is unlikely to die down anytime soon, especially, after Monday’s address as it would now be debated upon in the coming days. Also, it could test the stability of the coalition government, which is already grappling with disagreements over governance pririties.
Unity & reforms
In his address, the president emphasized the urgent need for political unity, economic stability and a robust foreign policy, while highlighting key national issues. He urged the house to promote good governance and political and economic stability.
The president lauded the government’s efforts for stabilising the economy, citing increase in the foreign exchange reserves and foreign direct investment, and reduction in the policy rate from 22% to 12%.
However, he acknowledged that the economic hardships faced by the common man, particularly the salaried class, due to high inflation and energy costs. He called for tax reforms that expanded the tax net without overburdening existing taxpayers.
Calling for an equitable tax system, he said that “we need to ensure that every eligible taxpayer contributes to the nation’s progress”. He also emphasised the importance of jobs creation and opposed downsizing in public and private sectors.
IT sector
Recognising the potential of Pakistan’s youth, Zardari urged investments in higher education, research and skills training. He highlighted the information technology (IT) industry as a key driver of economic growth, advocating for increased investments in digital infrastructure, IT parks and internet accessibility to boost exports in the technology sector.
Democracy & governance
Addressing the state of democracy, Zardari stressed the need for better governance and service delivery. He called upon parliament to work toward restoring public trust in democratic institutions and ensuring that development was inclusive across all provinces.
“The ignored and neglected areas demand urgent attention,” he said, advocating for investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to reduce the sense of deprivation among marginalised regions.
Foreign policy
On the foreign policy, Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s stance on regional and global issues. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people under the United Nations resolutions.
He also called for an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people and emphasised Pakistan’s continued advocacy for their rights.
Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s strategic importance in regional connectivity, emphasising the role of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Gwadar Port in linking Pakistan with Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.
Security
The president also dilated on internal security challenges, stressing the need for strengthening the law-enforcement agencies to combatting terrorism. “Thousands of our security forces have sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism, and we cannot allow resurgence [of terrorism] again,” he said, calling for national consensus against extremist ideologies.
Climate change
Highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, Zardari urged immediate action to restore biodiversity and invest in renewable energy. He praised Sindh’s efforts in planting 2 billion mangroves, which generated revenue through carbon credits, suggesting that similar conservation models be implemented nationwide.
Rise above narrow goals
In his speech, the president called for unity and working on collective goals, saying that democracy was all about give and take, emphasising that elected representatives, lawmakers function as role models for the nation.
“As you go about your parliamentary business think beyond narrow goals” he said, “Think of the unity and consensus our country so desperately needs.”
Zardari said: “We should work actively to promote inclusive and uniform development, ensuring that no province, no district, and no village is left behind. This house should ensure that development is not limited to a few selected areas but reaches every nook and corner of the country.”
He added: “Parliament is the one forum where any sense of deprivation cannot just be aired constructively but also addressed with political empathy by the executive branch. That is the test of real state-craft.”
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