Pakistan PM meets army chief, discusses security

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday met Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif to discuss the security situation in the country in the wake of militant attacks.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's House, the issue of peace talks with the Taliban was discussed at the meeting and the prime minister also sought the army chief's views on the militants' offer of a dialogue.

Sharif also discussed the issue with senior leaders of his party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, at a parliamentary party meeting Monday.

Sources told the Dawn newspaper that a majority of members were of the opinion that full force should be used without any further delay against the militant groups who are involved in the recent killings of innocent people and security personnel.

The prime minister apprised the army chief Tuesday of the discussions at the parliamentary party meeting.

The two also reviewed measures to curb terrorism and discussed the possibility of a targeted operation against the terrorists.

This is the second meeting between the two in less than a week. The prime minister and the chief of army staff met Thursday following the recent terrorist strikes in Bannu, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Mastung and Karachi which claimed the lives of many civilians and soldiers.