ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday discussed the overall political and security situation in the country, with particular focus on the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to an official statement.
The president and prime minister stressed the need to further strengthen the national resolve against terrorism and emphasised effective coordination among relevant institutions to ensure peace and stability in the country.
The meeting came amid heightened tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over the security situation and the PTI’s planned October 4 march on Islamabad.
The federal government has been considering various constitutional and legal options in response to the situation, including emergency measures and governor’s rule. However, no formal decision on either measure had been announced at the time of the meeting.
The president and prime minister also decided that a joint delegation comprising representatives of the federal government and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would meet PTI leadership on Friday to discuss the prevailing political situation.
The delegation will include Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam from the federal government.
PPP leaders Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Ejaz Jakhrani will also participate in the meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Mohsin Naqvi and Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Sherry Rehman and Salim Mandviwalla also attended the meeting, along with Sindh ministers Sharjeel Memon and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.
The consultations come as the government seeks to defuse political tensions surrounding the PTI’s planned October 4 march.
Earlier, Rana Sanaullah said “off-the-record” talks between the government and PTI were already under way regarding the proposed protest.
The planned meeting between the government-PPP delegation and PTI leadership is expected to focus on the prevailing political situation and efforts to prevent further escalation.