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Zardari consults leaders on political situation

* President meets PM, Punjab governor, ANP delegation
* Zardari, Gilani agree to move forward with improved coordination

By Sajjad Malik

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari launched consultations with political leaders on Friday amid increasing uncertainty and rumours of change in the top political set up.

Following a series of meetings, sources said the Presidency had been uneasy because of a spate of media reports, outbursts by political allies and rumours that the country’s influential quarters were not happy with the president. The president met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani –his second in less than 24 hours - to discuss the prevailing political situation and form a strategy to stabilise the political situation. They agreed to take all allies on board over key issues and move forward in a better-coordinated way after the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) episode.

The president also took the prime minister into confidence over his interaction with allies after their refusal to support the controversial NRO. The sources said the prime minister told the president that he had invited PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to discuss the Balochistan package prepared by the PPP. “And once the prime minister takes the PML-N chief on board over Balochistan package, it will soon be tabled at a joint sitting of parliament,” said the sources.

The leaders also discussed issues related to governance and the possibility of tabling names of NRO beneficiaries in the National Assembly. A statement by the Presidency said that matters related to the current political situation, the ongoing drive against the Taliban in Waziristan, internally displaced persons and the law and order and security situation in the country came under discussion during the meeting.

Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer also called on the president, and discussed the overall political and law and order situation in the province. He briefed the president on special ssecurity arrangements made for the protection and safety of educational institutions in the province. Also, an ANP delegation, led by Asfandyar Wali, met the president, and discussed political issues. The two sides agreed to consult on important issues and continue cooperation. ANP spokesman Zahid Khan said various political issues were discussed at the meeting. The president later hosted a dinner for the delegation. While Zardari was holding meetings at the Presidency, a PPP delegation – which met the president on Thursday – held an important meeting in Dubai with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

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