RAWALPINDI: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan Saturday said President Asif Ali Zardari is likely to address the joint session of the Parliament third time in the second or third week of March.

Talking to journalists outside the house of newly-elected MNA from NA-55, Malik Shakil Awan, he said the final date had not yet been decided for presidential address. “But the President is likely to address the Parliament on March 12 or 16,” he added.

The Minister said that the National Assembly had completed its parliamentary calendar. It had even worked three days more than the required number of days. The present government had got passed more bills than those by any government in the past in a calendar year.

He said the present government was giving attention to resolve problems which were still laying in pending. “We have given NFC Award after 22 years and changed 62 years old formula”.

Responding to a question, he said Shakil Awan was his nephew and he had come to congratulate him over his victory in his personal capacity.

Earlier, Babar Awan visited office of Shakil Awan at Liaqat Road and his house to felicitate him on his success in the bye-election.