Zardari seeks changes to aid legislation

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday held a high-level meeting during which it was agreed to take up with US officials controversial clauses of the Kerry-Lugar bill which grants economic and security assistance to Pakistan.

The bill, passed by the US Congress and awaiting President Barack Obama's signature, grants $1.5 billion (Dh5.5 billion) in annual aid for five years to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) head Lieutenant General Shuja Pasha attended the meeting, according to state-run television.

Attack

The report said the meeting also discussed the security situation following Saturday's terrorist attack near the general headquarters in which six security personnel and four assailants were killed in a heavy exchange of fire.

The bill is currently being debated in the two houses of the Pakistan parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate.

The debate is likely to wind up this week, with efforts being made to come to a consensus.

An army corps commanders conference chaired by General Kayani on Wednesday expressed "serious concern" on some clauses of the aid bill impacting on national security.

The conference however stressed it was for the parliament to debate the issue and evolve a "national response".

The government objection to the public expression of concern by the military, saying it should have conveyed its viewpoint through channels such as the defence ministry and the cabinet defence committee.

Gilani has dismissed reports of a rift between the government and the army and said the sovereign parliament was discussing the issues and would take a decision.