In wake of the escalating tension between Pakistan and United States, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday contacted mainstream political leadership to take them into confidence and decided to convene an All Parties Conference (APC) soon to devise national strategy over the US allegations against the country's security establishment.
The foreign minister after her return will brief the APC on her recent interaction with US officials including three and half-hour long meeting with US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Gilani telephoned President Asif Ali Zardair, who is also co-chairman of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and discussed with him the proposed APC, besides briefing him about his contacts with the political leaders on the current situation.
The political leadership contacted by the prime minister include Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawar Hassan, Amir Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan Tehirk-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and FATA parliamentarians parliamentary leader Muner Orakzai.
Sources said that Gilani took leadership of the mainstream political parties on board over the latest situation caused by serious accusation and threat of unilateral US raid inside Pakistan. He discussed with the political leadership of the country the latest situation arising out of the recent US statements.
Following the interaction, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani decided to convene a special meeting of the political leadership to chalk out a national strategy to meet the challenge.
Gilani also discussed with the political leadership the repercussions of the US threats and Pakistan's possible reaction to cope with the situation. He said the United States has levelled allegations on the entire Pakistani nation that will damage the efforts to curb terrorism in the region.
He briefed them about the current state of the affairs particularly with reference to Pak-US tense relations and asked them to join hands with the government to tackle the situation in the best interest of the country.
The prime minister reiterated determination to safeguard national sovereignty and country's interest at all cost with the support of the people‚ political leadership and the armed forces.
The political leaders assured the prime minister that the whole nation is united to protect national interests and sovereignty. They said no one would be allowed to cast an evil eye on Pakistan.
Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman called on Prime Minister Gilani at the Prime Minister's House and discussed with him political situation in the country.
He welcomed the initiative of the prime minister to take the political leadership into confidence on the recent developments in the region having bearings on the security situating of the country in particular and of the region in particular.
The prime minister thanked JUI-F chief, who has always supported the promotion of national interests and hoped JUI-F would continue to extend co-operation in the larger national interest.
On Sunday, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain also called on Prime Minister Gilani at PM House and extended his full support to the PM's move to hold a meeting of the political parties meant to apprise them of security situation.
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