The National Assembly on Wednesday continued discussion on the President’s address to the joint sitting of the Parliament.
Participating in the debate, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said President Asif Ali Zardari calls for political dialogue to find solutions to the problems confronting the country.
He said it is the responsibility of the elected representatives to sit together to address public issues and steer Pakistan out of economic crises.
The PPP Chairman urged all the provinces to extend maximum support to the Federal Government in providing quality facilities to the people in health and education sectors.
He said the PPP-led Sindh Government is providing the best and free health facilities in the province. He said a public-private partnership model was adopted in Sindh to ensure quality education to the students.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also commended President Asif Ali Zardari’s acumen for meeting demands of the protesting people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Regarding farmers’ protests in Punjab, Balochistan and other provinces, he said the former caretaker government should be held accountable for allowing import of wheat.
He also urged the Federal Government to withdraw a ban on wheat export to benefit the farmers. He said the government should announce incentives to the agriculture sector in the upcoming budget. He proposed a consistent agriculture policy for ten years to put the country on the path of development.
Condemning the incidents of May 9, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said genuine political people do not resort to violence and terrorism. He said the PPP will defeat the politics of hatred and divide with public support.
Awais Haider said special emphasis should be given for the development of backward areas. He stressed allocation of extra funds for such areas.
Shagufta Jumani said President Asif Ali Zardari has always pursued the course of reconciliation. She pointed out that it was President Zardari who handed over his powers to the Parliament.
Aniqa Mehdi said steps should be taken to address the problems of farmers. In her remarks, Asiya Naz Tanoli, said that a particular political party had made big claims of transforming Pakistan, but failed to deliver every promise.
She said it is the same party which promoted the politics of hate and intolerance in the society. Riaz Fatyana called for enhancing resources for the promotion of education including science and technology. He emphasized dialogue amongst all political parties to take the country towards political and economic stability.
Shehla Raza said Pakistan People’s Party has always pursued the path of reconciliation and consensus building with the political parties to take the country forward. She said that reconciliation is also important to strengthen the parliament.
Mustafa Kamal said Karachi is the financial hub of Pakistan and its problems including that relating to water need to be resolved. JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri called for providing maximum relief to the farmers in Balochistan.
He said electricity should be provided at subsidized rates to the farmers. He demanded separate universities for women across Pakistan.
Others who spoke on the occasion, Nisar Ahmad, Zartaj Gul, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Nawabzada Iftikhar Shah, Zain Qureshi, Shaishta Khan and Khursheed Ahmed Junejo.
Earlier, at the outset, the House offered fateha for Major Babar Khan, who embraced martyrdom in exchange of fire with terrorists in Zhob. The House will now meet tomorrow at 11:00 am.
