Islamabad: A joint session of the Parliament commenced at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Monday, with Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq presiding over the proceedings. This session marks the start of a new parliamentary year.

According to Radio Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to address the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, which includes the Senate and the National Assembly. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also present at the session, reflecting the significance of the gathering.

At the beginning of the session, Parliament members offered fateha for the departed souls of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others who were martyred in recent attacks. Additionally, prayers were offered for the souls of the security forces of Pakistan who sacrificed their lives in the defense of the country.