Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has said nations are tested not only in times of crisis but at key crossroads.

He held tThe past year has reminded us that the strength of our republic lies in its Constitution, in the resilience of our people, the responsibilities of parliament and government, and the courage of our armed forces. As we begin a new parliamentary year, we must build upon that resilience ³ safeguarding sovereignty, strengthening constitutional governance and advancing economic transformation so that stability becomes growth to generate prosperity, progress and peace for every citizen.

As we gather here today, we stand on the foundations laid by those who shaped our national journey. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a democratic state rooted in constitutionalism and the rule of law. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave this nation its unanimous Constitution. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto strengthened the democratic process through sacrifice and exemplary leadership.

He said this during his address to joint session of both the houses of parliament Monday.

My own belief in Parliament­s authority does not lie in words alone, but in action that builds on our legacy. The last time I was President I unilaterally returned the powers given to the Presidency back to the Houses of Parliament as envisioned in the 1973 Constitution. Through the historic 18th Amendment, today the Presidency stands as the symbol of the unity of the federation³a bridge between the federating units and a guardian of the constitutional laws that bind us all.

The past ten months tested our nation in profound and complex ways. When our sovereignty was challenged on either front, Pakistan responded with strategic restraint, and firm resolve. When confronted with unprovoked attacks on both our borders, one after another, our armed forces acted with outstanding professionalism and discipline. In the case of Maarka-e-Haq, they turned India­s attack on our motherland into a landmark strategic victory.

On the western border, when the Taliban regime ramped up a long line of attacks on the night of 26 February, our security forces acted decisively to signal zero tolerance for any incursions on our sovereign territory. The political leadership stood united. The people stood resolute. At the outset, I want to express the nation­s undying gratitude to the heroic defenders of our borders. It is because of their vigilance, bravery and service that we are all sitting here, secure in our workplaces and homes.

In both the successful military encounters, whether short or long, the sacrifices of our army, air force, navy, Rangers, Frontier Corps, police services and intelligence agencies must never be reduced to numbers. We only see their actions on the media with pride. We don­t really see the blood, sweat and tears that go into their training, hardship and service. Each operation reflects planning, discipline and restraint. Each martyr represents a family that has borne the ultimate sacrifice for Pakistan­s stability.

When I visit their families, I feel the same pain that I felt when I lost my wife, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who was martyred by terrorists in the prime of her life. I therefore remind you all that as a state, we must continue to support their families with dignity and honour. 2025 marked a turning point for Pakistan, defined by the resounding military victory in Maarka-e-Haq, which decisively repelled external aggression and shattered the myth of regional conventional superiority.

By the Grace of Allah, this was not just a military victory; it was an expression of our national resolve in crisis. United as one proud nation, we bravely repulsed India­s aggression and emerged victorious, both militarily and diplomatically. Our decisive and principled response was acknowledged by world capitals, beyond a shadow of any doubt. Let me take this opportunity to say that India must listen to us attentively: Pakistan will continue to give its fullest diplomatic and moral support to the just cause of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Nobody in South Asia will be free and safe until Kashmiris win their freedom from Indian occupation. Today, trapped in their strategic short-sightedness Indian leaders say they are preparing for another war. As a lifelong advocate for regional peace, I would not recommend it. At the same time, I would also say that any aggressor should prepare for another humiliating defeat. Make no mistake. We are ready for you. My message to them is to move away from war theatres to meaningful negotiating tables because that is the only path for the regional security.

Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state. We understand the weight of that responsibility. At the same time, we are a state that defends itself decisively when required. Our conduct reflects maturity, confidence and clarity of purpose. In 2025 we acted when necessary and exercised restraint once the objective was achieved. That message was understood clearly³within the region and beyond.

In 2026, last week in fact, when India began to amplify its proxy operations via Afghanistan, the Taliban regime saw with shock and awe, what Pakistan can do if pushed past a red line. Until that week, we had tried every possible form of diplomacy to prevent an outbreak of military responses to terrorist incursions from Afghanistan. For us war is always the last option. No state accepts serial attacks on its soil.

Article 51 of the UN Charter gives us the right to defend our sovereignty. We have let both India and Afghanistan see a fraction of our capabilities. Over the last three years our armed forces and law enforcement agencies have undertaken determined and intelligence-based operations against Indian sponsored foreign terrorists. This is not a counter-terrorism campaign the military is fighting alone. The entire nation stands united with its armed forces against cross-border terrorism.

Our action spelt out the limits to our tolerance for attacks from Afghanistan, particularly by Indian-sponsored TTP and BLA and their affiliates. Let me be clear: the soil of Pakistan is sacred. We will not allow any entity³domestic or foreign³to use neighbouring territory to destabilise our peace. The recent report of the United Nations Security Council­s monitoring team has described the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan as an extra-regional threat. This report warns that any other country could fall victim to another catastrophic attack if the issue is ignored.

However, it is a sad fact that despite multiple diplomatic engagements by Pakistan and our friendly brother countries, the Afghan de facto regime continues to provide safe sanctuaries to a variety of terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda, BLA and TTP. All promises they made in Doha, not to allow these terror groups to operate from Afghan soil, have been conveniently forgotten.

They must choose to dismantle the terror groups that survive on conflict and its war economy. None of this will feed Afghanistan­s children or create opportunities for national cohesion. On our end, we have never treated the Afghan people as anything but kith and kin. We have never walked away from dialogue. The Afghan people need a break from endless wars. Don­t take away their choice for a future of prosperity connected to peace. I would urge them to stop being used by another country as a battlefield for their ambitions.

Pakistan remains deeply concerned at the recent grave developments and has always sought to prevent unilateral attacks on any country. In this spirit we strongly condemn the war being waged on Iran while negotiations were under way. We have reaffirmed our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our brotherly nation. I join all Pakistanis in condoling the martyrdom of Iran­s supreme leader AyotollahAli Khamenai. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah.

At the same time, we also condemn subsequent attacks launched on our brotherly countries in the Gulf region. UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The sooner stability returns to the region, the sooner the world can go back to the business of rebuilding lives and fractured trust. I urge the need to exercise maximum restraint, to uphold international law, and to respect the territorial integrity of all brotherly nations. To save the region from a deepening crisis, we urge negotiated solutions that choose peace and restraint.

To this end we appreciate the efforts of all those countries that sought to de-escalate a conflict between two nuclear neighbours in South Asia, particularly those who took the lead in brokering a ceasefire to end a devastating war that could have engulfed the entire globe. I note with satisfaction that in the past year, Pakistan and the US have opened new avenues for strategic cooperation, investment and economic partnerships. The coming year will be even more productive.

Anchoring our security in economic growth and regional connectivity, our relations with China have ascended to new heights in all areas. We are iron-clad brothers. CPEC 2.0 will revolutionise Pakistan­s infrastructure. The entire nation is beholden to China for its solidarity with Pakistan during Maarka-e-Haq. I am grateful to President Xi Jinping for advancing our shared objectives of security and connectivity.We have deepened our ties with the Gulf countries, Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

The Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement is a new milestone in the region.

While our efforts today are focused on ending the sufferings of the Palestinian people and ending the destruction of Gaza, our principled stance remains unchanged. We will continue to support the creation of an independent and undivided state of Palestine with borders as before 1967 and with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital.

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate our brothers and sisters of Bangladesh on holding elections and forming a new government. The relations of our two countries, in this new phase, are poised to become steadier and stronger.Pakistan will continue to work for peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond.

Sustainable regional peace requires dialogue and respect for international law. Water security has emerged as a strategic concern.

India­s attempts to manipulate river flows and engage in what amounts to water aggression requires careful, long-term policy planning. India's illegal actions that place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance is plain and simple hydro-terrorism³a weaponisation of vital water flows to exert political leverage. This blatant disregard for international and humanitarian law not only jeopardises Pakistan's agricultural economy but signals a dangerous escalation in India's strategy to destabilise the region.

Rivers symbolise life. International law does not permit the unilateral blockage of water. This is not merely a bilateral issue. The stability of the region also depends on a web of trans-boundary water-sharing practices. If one treaty is flouted, many others across other borders may also suffer the same fate. We will defend our water rights with unity, resolve, strength and legal clarity.

As President elected by both Houses of Parliament and all Provincial Assemblies, I am constitutionally bound to safeguard the unity of the Federation and Parliament.Provincial autonomy under the Constitution has strengthened participatory governance. A strong Federation does not require centralisation. It requires coordination. Constitutional forums such as the Council of Common Interests must function effectively.

Issues relating to natural resources, fiscal distribution, energy coordination and water management must be resolved through consultation. A functioning and harmonious federation also requires an efficient and equitable distribution of resources. I look forward to a just and equitable National Finance Commission Award in the coming year.

Balochistan has a history of deprivations. It deserves special attention. While we continue to dismantle insurgencies fueled by foreign proxies, we are equally focused on addressing the genuine social and economic grievances of the Baloch people. Our strategy is a hearts-and-minds campaign³ensuring that the dividends of our mineral wealth and blue economy reach the local population first. The people of Balochistan are and must remain full partners in Pakistan's progress.

Economic stability is inseparable from national security. I commend the government for steering the economy out of the virtual collapse it faced in the spring of 2022. Through steady stewardship we have seen stability return in key indicators. But this is a first step on a journey to sustained, people-centric growth. Our salaried classes, pensioners, labourers and small traders, have endured a long night of hardship. The next phase must therefore focus on inclusive growth, jobs, and direct relief.

Structural reform remains essential. Transparency in taxation and expenditure is fundamental to trust. The tax base must be widened. Technology and innovation are reshaping the global economy. Pakistan has reset policy frameworks for emerging sectors and digital assets. Sustainable platforms have been created to support responsible expansion in these areas. We cannot afford technological isolation.Perhaps no single bottleneck constrains our economic potential more than energy costs.

At a time when the world is moving towards clean energy, Pakistan cannot afford to lag behind. Energy reform is not a sectoral issue³it is the precondition for industrial revival. Agriculture anchors food security and rural livelihoods. Climate-resilient agriculture, water management and coordinated policy are strategic imperatives. Climate justice remains a principle we will continue to advocate internationally, but it must be visible at home too.

Poverty cannot define the experience of our population while we plan on going forward. Our social protection framework, BISP should grow to empower those at the bottom of the social pyramid.

We must continue to dismantle barriers to womens­ progress, ensuring that the daughters of Pakistan have the safety, digital access, and financial independence to lead our nation into the future.

Security, economy and constitutional governance are interconnected pillars. Weakness in one undermines the others. Strength in one reinforces all.Pakistan has emerged from a period of acute pressure with restored credibility and renewed confidence.

The responsibility now lies with us³legislators and policy executors³to ensure that gains are consolidated.As we begin this new parliamentary year, our priorities must remain clear: protect sovereignty, eliminate terrorism, build on economic stability towards growth and job-creation, strengthen federal harmony and deepen democratic governance.Let us preserve the unity displayed in moments of trial. Let us institutionalise reform.

Let us ensure that macro-economic gains translate into household relief. Let us safeguard our borders while creating opportunities within.