President wants no 'fireworks'

ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari has desired to ensure that there should be no uproar when he would address the joint sitting of the parliament, likely to be held in the first week of April to set off new parliamentary year. Well-placed sources told TheNation that President Zardari, who also commands the ruling PPP as Co-Chairman, has requested the Prime Minister Gilani to make it certain that there was no uproar, protest or walkout when he addresses the joint sitting of the Parliament. Sources said that Prime Minister has already launched efforts to tame the PML-N and he is expected to meet others leaders of the opposition parties in the Parliament to seek assurances that presidential address goes well without any problem. The sources further said that Prime Minister Gilani had told the President that best solution to the political unrest spurred by imposition of Governor Rule in Punjab was to do away with it ahead of the joint sitting of the parliament. "The federal government's move to seek stay order on Sharif brothers disqualification issue from the Supreme Court is in line with the very hope that Governor Rule in Punjab comes to an end and political set up is restored as early as possible to February 24 position", a senior PPP leader disclosed. This is part of reconciliation efforts launched by President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani after the restoration of deposed judges, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chuadhry. Meanwhile, President Zardari has asked the federal government to send performance report of its ministries and divisions along with note-worthy achievements during the last parliamentary year in order to finalise his speech for the joint sitting of the parliament.

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