With international pressure mounting on Pakistan to cooperate in bringing the Mumbai attack perpetrators to justice, President Asif Ali Zardari and powerful army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani today discussed the security situation across the country and tensions with India.There was no official word on the meeting, though Dawn News channel said
Zardari and Kayani discussed the proposals made by Pakistan to India for de-escalation of tensions. Zardari said he hoped India would respond positively to Pakistan's proposals, including setting up of a joint investigation commission, to defuse the tensions which had arisen in the wake of the Mumbai attacks blamed on the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba.
During his meeting with Zardari, Kayani gave a briefing on the overall security situation across the country and the preparedness of armed forces.
He also briefed the President on the army's operations against militants in tribal areas, while Zardari reportedly said Pakistan's defence is strong.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahood Qureshi had yesterday asked India to "de-activate" forward air force bases and move ground forces back to their peace-time positions as part of efforts to defuse tensions.
In response, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said India had "not done anything to escalate tension" and there was "no question" of it taking steps to de-escalate the situation.
The Directors General of Military Operations too spoke on their hotline yesterday as part of their normal contact every Tuesday. The US and UK have pressed Pakistan to take concrete action against those responsible for the November 26 Mumbai terror attacks.
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