There was a mixed reaction to President Asif Ali Zardari's maiden speech to the parliament that he delivered the other day. Both from the government and opposition hoped that the presidential address would augur well for the future policies of Pakistan if the announcements made by the president were put into practice in letter and spirit. Main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif welcomed the address, hoping the government would implement announcements made in the speech. “We hope that the government will take practical steps to repeal the 17th Amendment. He said parliament had been elected according to aspirations of the people of Pakistan but regretted that the judiciary in the country was not independent. He called for a sovereign parliament, strengthening of the democratic institutions and an independent judiciary. “The government should ensure sovereignty of parliament so that it could act and legislate according to wishes of the people,” he stressed and hoped that the government would ensure sovereignty and integrity of the country and not take dictation from any country. However, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Zardari did not make announcements on important issues which people of Pakistan were expecting of him. Another opposition leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi said it was a good speech but Zardari did not mention the issue of independent judiciary. He said the people wanted results and, therefore, it was expected that the decisions mentioned in the address would be implemented. Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali thanked Zardari on behalf of workers and martyrs of his party for fulfilling their long-standing demand of changing the name of the the NWFP to Pakhtunkhwa. __
