Islamabad: Against the backdrop of growing international focus on the unrest in Balochistan, Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday held back-to-back meetings with army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed the internal security situation.

Kayani called on Gilani at the Prime Minister`s House and discussed the "security situation of the country and the region," a brief official statement said without giving details. "Professional matters pertaining to the country`s defence" too were discussed, the statement said. The Premier subsequently met Zardari at the Presidency and discussed the current situation in the country.
Recently held bypolls to the national and provincial assemblies and the forthcoming elections to the Senate or upper house of Parliament too were discussed, said a statement from the Presidency.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Gilani had recently said he would consult the army chief before convening a meeting of all political parties to discuss the situation in Balochistan, where nationalist groups have accused the security establishment of abducting and killing hundreds of activists.

The army and intelligence agencies have denied these charges. Leaders angrily reacted to a resolution moved in the US House of Representatives seeking the right to self-determination for Balochistan, and Gilani described it as an attack on Pakistan`s sovereignty. In recent weeks, the civilian government and powerful military have also taken steps to restore their troubled relationship to an even keel following a standoff over a mysterious memo that had sought the US help to stave off a feared military coup in Pakistan last year.
The memo was made public by American businessman Mansoor Ijaz and a Supreme Court-appointed commission is currently investigating the scandal.
PTI