President Zardari Delivers Eighth Parliamentary Address Amid Opposition Protests
Islamabad, March 10, 2025 – President Asif Ali Zardari addressed a joint session of Parliament, marking the completion of the parliamentary year. However, his speech was met with strong resistance from opposition members, particularly those from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who raised slogans and displayed placards in protest.
Despite the disruptions, President Zardari remained composed, continuing his speech while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other government officials used headphones to hear him clearly. In his address, he criticized unilateral policies affecting the federation, particularly the extraction of additional canals from the Indus River system without consensus. He urged authorities to engage all stakeholders in finding a sustainable and mutually beneficial solution.
The president also emphasized economic reforms, advocating for a fairer taxation system that does not burden only salaried individuals. He highlighted security concerns, warning of resurging terrorism supported by external forces, and called for targeted development in affected regions to counter extremism.
Key political figures, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz, attended the session, along with foreign diplomats observing from the gallery.
As protests from the opposition continued, the session concluded with the government emphasizing the importance of the president’s address in outlining national challenges and future strategies. The meeting was later adjourned indefinitely.