President Abdul Hamid today earnestly urged for taking concerted efforts to build national consensus among all irrespective of political parties, classes and professions regarding the fundamental issues of continuity of democracy, rule of law and uninterrupted socioeconomic development of the country.

"Peace and prosperity cannot take a permanent shape without national consensus,” he said this while addressing the first session of the New Year in parliament.

This is also the sixth session of the 11th parliament that began today will continue till February 18.

According to the constitution, the president was scheduled to address before the first session of New Year highlighting various progress and achievements of the government.

His speech was approved earlier by the cabinet.

Terming Parliament as the centre of all hopes and aspirations of people, Abdul Hamid also urged all including the ruling and opposition parties to play their proper and effective roles together in Parliament fulfilling the people’s aspirations.