ISLAMABAD - Pakistani premier Yousaf Raza Gilani was briefed by the countryÂ’s army chief Wednesday as part of his new governmentÂ’s efforts to find political solutions to Islamic militancy, a statement said. Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani met Gilani along with key coalition partners and ministers in Islamabad, two days after the ministers were sworn in and just over a week after the premier was elected by parliament.
| "Good morning Mr. Prime Minister! I'm here to tell you what to do!" |
The new government is led by opponents of the embattled US ally President Pervez Musharraf, including the party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, which trounced MusharrafÂ’s allies in elections in February.
An official statement said Kayani “presented all the efforts it (the army) had undertaken to stabilise the situation” in Pakistan’s troubled tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and in the restive northwestern Swat Valley.
| Bet that was a short presentation ... |
Gilani and his coalition partners ordered the briefing “in order to come up with political policy guidelines to address the menace of terrorism and extremism, through a comprehensive strategy based on political engagement, economic development and backed by a creditable military element,” it added.
Those present at the meeting included BhuttoÂ’s widower Asif Ali Zardari, the de facto head of her Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party, and former premier Nawaz Sharif, whose party is the second biggest in the coalition. Gilani is a leading member of BhuttoÂ’s party. |