Islamabad:  Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain today asserted that the country's democracy has been strengthened to the extent that it can now withstand various crises. Addressing a joint session of parliament, the president said sustainable development was not possible without a stable democracy and added that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had guided the country on the path towards progress. The president said a government which ensures rule of law, economic development and provision of basic needs to its people can easily overcome challenges, stabilise democracy and reinforce the relationship between the individual and state, Radio Pakistan reported. The president's address to a joint session of both houses of parliament marks the beginning of a new parliamentary year and is mandatory under the Constitution.