Kayani met Gilani and discussed national security issues amid persisting speculation about the health of President Asif Ali Zardari, who is being treated in Dubai for a heart condition.
Pakistan Army chief Gen Parvez Ashfaq Kayani today met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and discussed national security issues amid persisting speculation about the health of President Asif Ali Zardari, who is being treated in Dubai for a heart condition.
A statement issued by the premier's office said Gilani and Kayani discussed "matters pertaining to national security in the backdrop" of the cross-border NATO air strike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in Mohmand tribal region last month.
The statement did not say whether the two leaders had discussed the president's health.
Zardari's sudden departure to Dubai on Tuesday to seek treatment for what officials have described as a previously diagnosed cardiovascular condition triggered speculation and rumours that he might be on the verge of resigning due to pressure from the military over the Memogate controversy.
The official statement said Kayani informed the prime minister of steps taken by the army on the border with Afghanistan to "revamp the defence capabilities aimed at effectively countering the recurrence of the incursion into the Pakistan territory".
Gilani said his government will not "allow a similar attack on the country's sovereignty and any attempt in future will definitely meet the detrimental response", the statement said.
The government and people of Pakistan are "ready to provide the armed forces all the necessary resources to bolster its defence and professional capabilities", Gilani said.
Kayani thanked the prime minister and expressed the "firm resolve of the army to defend the country's sovereignty".
Earlier in the day, US Ambassador Cameron Munter met Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to discuss the "current status of bilateral relations", the Foreign Office said.
Khar remarked that relations between the two countries "must be based on mutual respect".
In an apparent reference to the NATO air strike of November 26, Khar said "recent incidents have led to a re-evaluation" of Pakistan’s terms of engagement with the US.
Munter assured Khar of an "early conclusion" of the investigation into the NATO attack and said the US would work with the Pakistan government to "normalise the relationship at the earliest".
Khar also met Prime Minister Gilani and discussed the agenda of a conference of Pakistani envoys to be held in Islamabad during December 13-14. She requested Gilani to chair the concluding session of the meet and share his vision on foreign policy objectives.
The Foreign Office has convened the meeting to seek the views of envoys posted in key world capitals regarding a planned re-evaluation of Pakistan’s ties with the US.
Pakistan responded angrily to the air strike by closing all NATO supply routes and asking the US to vacate Shamsi airbase, reportedly used by CIA-operated drones.
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