President Zardari, PM Shehbaz review country's prevailing political, economic and security situation
The high level meeting took place at President House in Islamabad. PHOTO: APP
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reviewed the country’s political, economic and security situation, as well as the prevailing regional and global environment.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr between the two leaders was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, PM’s Adviser Dr Syed Touqeer Hussain Shah, PM’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman and MNA Raja Pervez Ashraf.
President @AAliZardari in a meeting with Prime Minister @CMShehbaz at Aiwan-e-Sadr; the Prime Minister was accompanied by key cabinet ministers Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Dr. Syed Touqeer Hussain Shah, and Rana Sanaullah;… pic.twitter.com/tHSKYYwFeW
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The meeting comes in the wake of several high-profile terror attacks in the country that were blamed on Afghan and Indian elements.
On February 6, At least 32 worshippers were killed and dozens more injured when a massive bomb tore through an imambargah in the Tarlai area of Islamabad.The blast occured during Friday prayers.
Almost a week before the Islamabad Incident,at least 37 terrorists were killed and 10 security personnel were martyred after security forces thwarted coordinated attacks at 12 locations across Balochistan. In a counter-operation by security forces, a total of 216 terrorists were killed, while 22 security personnel embraced martyrdom.
Pakistan is also playing an active role to diffuse ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. On January 29, FM Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi amid rising tensions in the Middle East, following renewed threats by US President Donald Trump to take military action against Iran.
After few hours of the discussion between Dar and Araghchi, PM Shehbaz also talked with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Both had urged Iran for sustained dialogue and diplomatic engagement for promoting peace, security and development in the region.
The last such meeting of the president and the premier on the country's security affairs had come in November when they had reaffirmed their resolve to continue action against terrorists and their facilitators until the complete elimination of the menace.
The meeting took place after two major terrorist attacks on the Cadet College in Wana, South Waziristan and the courthouse in Islamabad.