Sharif calls for political unity to save Pakistan

Dubai: Pakistan's opposition leader on Sunday urged all national political forces to unite and save the country from plunging into instability triggered by rising terrorism, US drone attacks and fresh insurgency along the Afghan border.

The call from Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif came ahead of an expected meeting between him and other top Pakistani leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani and the ruling Awami National Party (ANP) president Asfandyar Wali Khan, in the UAE, diplomatic sources said.

Sharif arrived in Dubai on Sunday afternoon, Khan is already in the UAE and Zardari was expected to arrive later last night.

"An important meeting is expected among the top leaders here to discuss the situation which has arisen after recent differences between Pakistan and the US over tackling terrorism and US aid to Pakistan," a senior diplomat told Gulf News.

"The leaders are expected to discuss issues of national security, Pakistan's stand on the increasing US pressure on combating terrorism and the recent drone attacks in Pakistan," said the diplomat.