ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif made a telephonic contact with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, who is on official visit to Moscow, and discussed with him the derogatory language used by PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari against armed forces of Pakistan and the reaction of his government to it.
Though there was no official word on it neither by prime minister's media people nor Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the mouthpiece of Pakistan Army, but credible sources in Prime Minister's House confirmed that a contact was made between the two on Wednesday evening when Premier Sharif rang him (COAS).
These sources said that the foul language used by Mr Zardari against the institution and its top-brass came under discussion during the meeting and prime minister assured army chief about his government's complete backing to the institution which was fighting a war against terror across the country. Sources said that Prime Minister Sharif was all praise to the role of army in containing the menace of terrorism as all their hideouts and safe heavens of terrorists in the Tribal Areas, particularly in South Waziristan, were smashed by the valiant soldiers of the armed forces.
During exchange of views the prime minister said that the government was standing shoulder to shoulder with the army which had been rendering unmatchable sacrifices for bringing peace and normalcy across the country. He made it loud and clear that government could not remain a silent spectator in the face of some statements made by the PPP leaders including Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. According to reports, after consultation with the COAS, the prime minister responded to the statement of Asif Ali Zardari and called off his scheduled meeting with him.
Meanwhile, sources said that the prime minister also appreciated the statement given by Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan in response to the speech of Asif Ali Zardari. The prime minister told Ch Nisar that the statement of the interior minister was in line with the policy of the government.