US, UK and Saudi Arabia move to sort out Pakistan's political crisis

Islamabad, Mar 13 (ANI): In a bid to broker a truce between the PPP-led Government and the PML-N and end the ongoing political turmoil that has alarmed the international community, US and British diplomats have spoken to top Pakistani leaders.

US Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke made separate telephone calls to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, President Asif Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, while US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson met Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer separately.

She also met PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday; the Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

They said Zardari, Holbrooke and Patterson held a teleconference that lasted for about 30 minutes.

"We want to see the situation dealt with in accordance with the rule of law in Pakistan and that violence be avoided and that any impediments to peaceful and democratic activities not be put in place," the State Department said in a statement on Thursday.ritish Foreign Secretary David Miliband also telephoned Zardari. Sources said that Miliband asked the President to take immediate steps to avert a political and security chaos.

UK High Commissioner Robert Brinkley has had a number of meetings with PML-N and PPP leaders in recent days to persuade them for reconciliation.

Brinkley had met Gilani on Wednesday and urged him to play an active role to broker a patch up.

Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asseri is also in contact with PML-N and PPP leaders.

Australian High Commissioner Zorica McCarthy is also active to defuse growing political tensions, sources said. She had met Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind estate on Wednesday. (ANI)