President Asif Ali Zardari will address both houses on Thursday to inaugurate the parliamentary year. It follows the general elections held on February 8.
President Zardari convened the session under Articles 54(1) and 56(3) of the Constitution, scheduling his address for 4 pm. Originally set for April 16, the session has been rescheduled to April 18, rendering the prior notification obsolete.
This will mark the first joint session of the new parliamentary year after the election of members to both the upper and lower houses.
Although elections occurred on February 8 with former president Arif Alvi in office, he could not call a joint session due to pending Senate elections.
President Zardari has summoned the joint session after his recent presidential oath and the successful Senate polls.
In contrast, the last joint session was convened by Alvi on October 6, 2022, under a coalition government. It marked the onset of the final parliamentary year for the then National Assembly.
Alvi’s last address to the parliament, boycotted by key political parties unannounced, emphasized dialogue to mitigate the nation’s deepening political divisions, remarking, “Polarisation doesn’t end with stubbornness.”
Only 15 lawmakers attended then, dropping attendance to 12 as the session progressed.
