The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar; Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal; Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Political & Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan; Minister for Interior & Narcotics Control Senator Syed Mohsin Naqvi; Minister for Law & Justice and Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar; Senator Saleem Mandviwala; Senator Sherry Rehman and Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari.
During the meeting, the president and the prime minister reviewed matters of national significance, including the prevailing political and security situation, and recent regional as well as international developments affecting Pakistan’s strategic and economic interests.
The prime minister apprised the president of his recent visits to Egypt and Malaysia, including his engagements with international leaders and efforts for peace in Gaza.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a one-on-one discussion, during which they exchanged views on key national priorities and the overall direction of government policies. Both leaders agreed to continue political consultations on matters of national importance.
Separately, Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, on Wednesday, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr and briefed him on the overall internal and external security environment of the country.
He also apprised the president of the recent security situation arising from the aggressive and provocative actions of the Afghan Taliban regime, as well as the measured and befitting response by the Armed Forces of Pakistan, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.
“President Zardari expressed full confidence in the strength, valour, capacity, and preparedness of Pakistan’s armed forces,” it was further added. The president lauded their vigilance and professionalism in defending the nation’s frontiers and in swiftly repelling cross-border attacks along the Afghan border.
The president also reaffirmed that Pakistan would defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.
