The primary role of the president is to preserve, protect and defend the constitution and the law of the country. The president is bound by the constitution to act on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet as long as the advice is not violating the constitution. Under the country's constitution, as pointed out by this newspaper in an editorial, "the President "may" address either House or both Houses assembled together, but he is under constitutional obligation to address a joint session of Parliament at the commencement of each year, and also inform it of the "causes of its summons". That is to be then followed by a discussion on the subject matter his address."

But what happened during his address to the parliament the other day is highly unfortunate. The ruckus created by the Opposition members did not add to the dignity of the office of the President. Denigrating President during their addresses on such occasions seems to have become an accepted norm. We must not lose sight of the fact that although President of Pakistan does not rule the nation, he does represent the nation.



Copyright Business Recorder, 2019