ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will make a unique distinction and history today as the former will address a joint sitting of parliament for the sixth time, while the latter will hear a presidential speech for the seventh time as prime minister.
Zardari will also be the fourth president during Sharif’s tenure as premier to address a joint session of both houses of parliament.
Former president late Ishaq Khan addressed parliament thrice during Sharif’s tenures — on November 8, 1990, December 19, 1991 and December 22, 1992.
During Sharif’s second tenure, former president Farooq Leghari addressed a joint session in 1997 and former president Rafiq Tarar addressed it in 1998 and 1999.
Former presidents late General Ziaul Haq and Ishaq Khan had addressed joint sessions of parliament five times each.
Haq addressed the sitting on March 23, 1985, December 30, 1985, July 8, 1986, April 9, 1987 and April 17, 1988 — during the tenure of late Muhammad Junejo as prime minister.
Khan addressed parliament twice when Benazir Bhutto was premier — on December 14, 1988 and December 2, 1989.
After the dismissal of the Bhutto government, when Sharif became prime minister, during his tenure, Khan addressed joint sessions thrice.
In the second tenure of Sharif as premier, former presidents Leghari and Tarar addressed joint sessions.
Sharif is third prime minister during Zardari’s tenure to listen to his address to parliament. Also, Sharif is the fourth prime minister after Yousaf Gilani, Pervaiz Ashraf and Hazar Khoso during Zardari’s five-year term.
Internews
