Sharif, Zardari meet; discuss Musharraf, politics

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today met former President and PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari here, amid unease in civil-military relations due to the trial of ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
The two leaders discussed a number of issues including the ongoing treason trial of 70-year-old Musharraf, opposition's stand against the government's move to push through a controversial anti-terrorism bill, Karachi law and order situation as well as the talks with the Taliban.
However, meeting assumes special significance as it has been seen by analysts here as a show of unity and strength by the political class amidst unease in civil-military ties.

"A number of issues including Musharraf was discussed," PPP senator Raza Rabbani said, adding that the Prime Minister felt that there was not much to be concerned about any tensions in civil-military relations.
PPP leader Farhatullah Babar had yesterday extended his party's support to the PML-N government against any "undemocratic adventurism" saying he feared that the ongoing row could threaten the civil dispensation.
The current tension between the civilian authority and the army is primarily because of the Musharraf trial.

Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had on Sunday admitted to an "irritant" lately that "we will get over".

In unusually tough remarks, Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif had on April 7 said that while the force upholds the sanctity of all institutions, it will resolutely preserve its own dignity and institutional pride.
The remarks came amid, what a military statement described as "undue criticism" of the Army, especially in context of the high treason trial of Musharraf.
Since that statement, there has been intense speculation here about tensions in civil-military ties.
An official statement released after today's meeting did not mention anything about the Musharraf trial.
Both leaders held delegation-level talks before heading for lunch.
Federal ministers Ishaq Dar and Zahid Hamid assisted Sharif and senior PPP leaders, including Khurshid Shah and Rabbani, accompanied Zardari.

Hamid briefed the meeting on the Protection of Pakistan Bill while a member of the government, Fawad Hassan Fawad, briefed the PPP delegation on the latest situation in the dialogue with the Pakistani Taliban.