Musharraf promises full co-operation and support to Gilani

Rawalpindi, Apr 30 : In his first official meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in Rawalpindi last evening, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf reportedly promised him full co-operation and support.

He also promised to forge a constructive relationship with the new government.

According to sources, the two leaders agreed to hold regular interactions to avoid conflict between Prime Minister's House and the Presidency in the larger interests of the country.

Musharraf reportedly told Gillani that in a democracy each state institution should play its own role.

The role of different democratic institutions was well defined in the Constitution and each institution should play its constitutional role, and it was important to avoid clashes between different state institutions, the Daily Times quoted him as telling Gilani.

Presidential spokesman Rashid Qureshi said that the two leaders discussed various issues of national interest. "It was basically a consultative meeting and the president and prime minister discussed the prevailing law and order situation, the ongoing war against terrorism, and matters related to internal security," he said.

Qureshi, however, feigned ignorance if the issue of the sacked judiciary was also discussed between the two leaders.

On the occasion, the two leaders are learnt to have discussed the energy and food crises, agreeing that steps should be taken to address the issues of load shedding and flour shortage.

ANI