President Asif Ali Zardari has underscored the need for meaningful dialogue and consensus to take the country forward.

Addressing joint sitting of the Parliament in Islamabad this evening, he emphasized need for fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and political reconciliation through the vision of great leaders including Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Shaheed Zulfiakar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

Sharing his vision for future, President Asif Ali Zardari urged the political leadership to prioritize specific needs of marginalized community and under develop areas, underscoring the need to move forward on the path of inclusive growth.

The President said Pakistan needs to revitalize its economy.  He said our primary objective should be to attract foreign direct investment.

He urged the government to intensify its efforts in implementing comprehensive ease of doing business reforms and simplifying regulations to provide an enabling environment to both domestic and foreign investors.

He commended the establishment of Special Investment Facilitation Council to attract investment in key sectors of the economy, describing it as a step in the right direction.  

The President underscored the importance of promoting positive working relationships and effective coordination between the Federal Government and the Provinces.

He emphasized the importance of urgently investing in climate-friendly and climate-resilient infrastructure to mitigate the rapidly compounding risks of climate change.

Expressing concerns over resurgence of terrorism, President reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to eliminate terrorist elements.

The President was appreciative of the friendly countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, UAE, China, Turkiye, and Qatar, who always supported Pakistan in difficult times.

As regards relations with China, President said Pakistan will not allow hostile elements to jeopardize this vital project or undermine the strong bond between our two nations.