ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for making joint efforts to steer the country out of crisis and also called upon all stakeholders to play their role for the prosperity of the nation. He stated this while addressing the joint session of parliament on Thursday after the February 8 general elections amid protest staged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) lawmakers. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto were among the members of the National Assembly and Senate who attended the today’s joint session. Top officials including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the session chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq while provincial chief ministers, diplomats, and representatives from political parties were present in the galleries. “Let me also take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all parliamentarians and provincial assembly members for their trust and confidence in electing me for a second time as the president of Islamic republic of Pakistan,” the president said this in his opening remarks. President Zardari said their agenda and ideology will strengthen the country and underlined the need for creating a political environment to fulfill the expectations of all stakeholders. He asked the political leadership of the country to highlight their priorities and stressed the need for ending differences for the country’s prosperity. “While there are many economic reforms the government will drive in spurring jobs, reducing inflation and expanding the tax net, I want to underscore the importance of promoting positive working relationships and effective coordination, within our constitutional framework, between the Federal Government and the Provinces. This is absolutely essential for promoting an inclusive national development agenda and rolling out policies that execute tangible action on the ground.” President Zardari called for taking positive steps, saying harmony among institutions is the need of the hour to pave wave for the development of the country.“If we see today as a new beginning, which it is, then we can build on our strengths by investing in our people, by focusing on public needs, and by harnessing our resources to create pathways to inclusive growth.” He said: “I also feel that we have little time to waste. The country needs us to move on from the polarisation so common now to contemporary politics. This joint House must play a leading role in rebuilding public confidence in the parliamentary process and establish a foundation for the uninterrupted sustainable development of our nation.”