Opposition stages walkout during President Arif Alvi's address to parliament

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The opposition chanted slogans and staged a walkout during the address of President Dr Arif Ali to the joint session of the Parliament on Thursday. Addressing the session amid the opposition's rumpus, President Dr Arif Alvi said that nations continue to face difficult times. "The nation jointly defeated terrorism and faced the coronavirus pandemic. The economy is improving and there is need to encourage it," he added. The President said that they are standing at a juncture from where the nation can be diverted to progress. "I thought that my words will be listened calmly as compared to the previous year," he said. He congratulated the House on completion of the second year. "Extremism is emerging in the country. We controlled the coronavirus through the smart lockdown and made decisions contrary to the world," he added. Dr Arif Alvi said that over 60,000 coronavirus cases were reported in India on Wednesday. "During the lockdown, educational activities continued during the lockdown. Pakistan is the only country that faced terrorism," he maintained. He said that the country was in quagmire of corruption and loans when the PTI assumed the power. "During the past two years, 50,000 scholarships were given to students. Clean and Green Pakistan will benefit the future generations," he added. The President congratulated PM Imran Khan for categorically refusing to accept Israel. "ML-I will prove a game-changer for the country. Diamir and Bhasha Dam is very essential for the country," he maintained. He said that the government had given an Rs 280 billion package to the agriculture sector. "The PM highlighted the Kashmir issue and became the ambassador of Kashmir in a true sense," he added. Dr Arif Alvi said that Pakistan wants the establishment of the Palestinian state as per vision of the Quaid-e-Azam. "Malaysia and Azerbaijan supported Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. I thank Iran for openly supporting Pakistan over the Kashmir issue," he maintained. He said that the Parliament did legislation over FATF. "The Pak Army, media and the parliament are on the same page for the progress of Pakistan," he declared.