ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday stressed for making collective efforts to give more strength to the democratic process for achieving socio-economic development of the country.
Addressing joint session of the Parliament here on fourth consecutive year, the President said during the past three years the country’s democratic march has been progressing despite ups and down.
“It is now responsibility of each individual, class and institutions to earnestly contribute towards reinforcing a positive trend,” Mamnoon Hussain maintained.
Since, he added, the country has already witnessed unpleasant experiences many times in its parliamentary democratic and political history which could not be repeated.
Thus the President said obstinacy and personal differences should not override national interest and reminded the Quaid’s advice that neither the opposition and nor any group has the right to unlawfully impose its will on the elected government.
The President while congratulating the Parliamentarians on the successful completion of the third and beginning of the fourth parliamentary year, said the political progression during the last three years is testimony that the political system has gained the potential to face crises successfully.
He said it signifies that the nation is now convinced that the objective of sustainable development and stability is not possible without democracy.
“This is a great leap forward towards political maturity for which the parliament, political parties and Pakistani nation deserve commendation,” he added.
During the last three years, he said, “our democratic march has been progressing successfully despite ups and downs and it is now the responsibility of each individual, class and institution to earnestly contribute towards reinforcing this positive trend.”
The President said it is through sustaining and nurturing democracy that we can serve the nation, raise its standard of living and further strengthen the system.
The governments that ensure rule of law, economic development and provision of basic needs to the people easily overcome challenges, succeed in stabilizing democracy and reinforce the relationship between an individual and state, he said.
The President said he was glad to note that both the government and the opposition are cognizant of this and are formulating policies in the light of this philosophy thereby strengthening democracy.
He said the government, be it of any political party, should formulate policies in accordance with this tested principle so that democracy can take roots and the people may live a happy and prosperous life.
He said the progress and prosperity of a nation is measured by its economic performance and as a veteran political worker and a student of economics, he has always kept an eye on these matters. Highlighting government’s prudent economic policies, the President said, economic indicators had improved manifold and its blessings have started passing on to gross-roots level.
He said the country has been facing many problems as a result of instability in the region, decades long conflicts, terrorism and failure of the past regime in maintaining financial discipline that alarmingly affected national income and production.
But, he added since the government took charge the current financial situation appeared encouraging. According to reports, the country’s tax system and tax collection has improved, foreign exchange reserves increased, GDP has steadily expanded and this year its growth has been 4.7 percent.
The Present said these positives will encourage foreign investors and accelerate our economic progress which will further boosted by China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
He said such a welcome progress on the economic front is possible only through consistent and realistic policies. Thus, he added there is a need to ensure continuity in policies in line with ground realities to further stabilize the economy and more steps should be taken to pass on the benefits of improved economic situation to the common man.
Referring to the welfare projects, the president said several steps have been taken which include business opportunities and technical training for the youth, comprehensive programme for people living below the poverty line, special package for farmers and educational facilities and stipends for children belonging to the under developed areas.
About the CPEC, the President said that this project is vital for revival of our national economy and that our neighbours particularly, the Central Asians Countries have already started preparing themselves to benefit from this corridor.
He said there is no weight in reservations expressed by certain quarters regarding the CPEC, adding that development work on this most important project is going on according to the schedule.
He said concerted efforts had been made to reach a national consensus on this matter which has helped removing doubts. However, he said, if there are still any apprehension in mind of few this should also be removed through dialogue so that there is no room for mischief by ill-wishers.
The President said it is utmost necessity to convert the economic corridor dream into reality through hard work.In this respect a special security division has been created for safety and security of Chinese experts and workers and the construction of roads is going in full swing.
He hoped that the major work on the western and other routes has been completed by the end of current year.
