-- Nawaz pays glowing tributes
Nawaz said this was also an honour for him because it was for the first time in the history of Pakistan that an elected Prime Minister was giving a farewell lunch to an elected President. This occasion would certainly give satisfaction to the nation that a new tradition is being established. Such tradition strengthens democracy, according to him. The Prime Minister said the President had played a vital role towards strengthening democratic system as he transferred all his powers to Parliament through 18th Constitutional Amendment. It was during Zardari's Presidentship that the constitution of 1973 was restored to its original form to a large extent. The Prime Minister added that all this had been done by the President during the last five years of his tenure and would be cherished by the democratic forces. Sharif said that all the constitutional amendments during his tenure were approved with consensus and President upheld the tradition of consensus with wisdom "which was introduced by the Pakistan Muslim League in 1997."
Sharif also recounted his "pleasant meetings" with the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari in Jeddah during his exile and it was evident from great interest demonstrated by Asif Zardari during those meetings that he intended to promote social relations in politics. The Prime Minister also recounted that he would not forget when he travelled to London on the invitation of the late Prime Minister for a luncheon, which left a long-lasting impact on him. Nawaz also mentioned his visit to Naudero after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto for condolence and later Asif Ali Zardari's visit to his residence at Murree after 2008 elections.
President Zardari reciprocated in equally warm words and stated that the approval of Constitutional amendments with consensus during the last five year would not have been possible without the support of Pakistan Muslim League (N). He assured full support to the present government in tackling the challenges confronting the country and stated that his party would not play politics on issues of national importance. Zardari further stated all political parties should stand together for the future of the country and thanked PML-N for supporting the PPP government in strengthening democratic institutions.
About the Muslim world, he said the fire raging in the Muslim world was not far from Pakistan and demanded greater efforts to put things on the right track in order to protect ourselves. Zardari said that measures like the Balochistan Package and grant of greater provincial autonomy were in the right direction towards national unity. The luncheon was attended among others, by chiefs of forces and heads and representatives of political parties, except Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.