*Lets see what he has to say in this joint session. This is his 2nd address, whereas his predecessor was too scared to step in the parliament. ***
In-camera joint session of Parliament today** Updated at: 0003 PST, Wednesday, October 08, 2008
ISLAMABAD: An in-camera Joint sitting of the Parliament summoned by President Asif Ali Zardari would be held today at 1700 (PST) to brief the elected representatives of the people on the security situation in the country. The joint session would also be informed about the security measures as well as steps being taken to fight out terrorism and to better law and order situation.
Director General Military Operations Lt. General Ahmed Shuja Pasha would brief the in-camera joint session of the Parliament, National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has asked all parliamentarians including the Speaker National Assembly and Chairman Senate to ensure presence of the members of the Parliament in this very important and in-camera session where they would be briefed by concerned officials.
Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief, Mian Nawaz Sharif has also been invited to witness the proceedings of the session.
“The Parliament is the only forum where all the national as well as international issues concerning Pakistan should be discussed and calling of the joint session of the Parliament is the right step towards ensuring supremacy of the Parliament,” Nawaz Sharif commented when he was invited to witness the proceedings.
He also extended his full support to the government for strengthening parliamentary democracy, supremacy of the Parliament as well as democratic norms in the country.
The joint session of the Parliament would start at 1700 hours and is likely to continue more than one-day in view of the sensitivity and importance of the issue.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi told Geo News that since it would be an in-camera session, no one would be allowed to witness the proceedings.
He said there would be no guests or special invitees for the session, except for those who will brief the parliamentarians.
Political leaders who have been invited include Amir Jamaat-e-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, Chief of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI-P), Maulana Anas Noorani, Chief of APDM, Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Baloch leaders Ataullah Khan Mengal and Abdul Hai Baloch.
Governors and Chief Ministers of four provinces, President and PM of Azad Kashmir and others political leaders have been invited to the joint session.