Pak Air Chief briefs Zardari on preparedness

Pakistan's Air Force (PAF) chief Tuesday briefed President Asif Ali Zardari on the operational preparedness of the country's air force in case of any aggression.

The presidency, in a brief statement here, said Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed called on President Asif Ali Zardari and briefed him about "the operational preparedness of Pakistan Air Force".

Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also called on President Zardari Tuesday, a day after India handed over evidence of the involvement of this country in the Mumbai terror attacks.

Officials said the two leaders discussed the recent statements by Indian leaders and the country's response.

Both the leaders also talked on the country's internal political situation and discussed calling a meeting of all political parties to take them into confidence regarding the situation with India.

"Both leaders discussed recent political developments, India-Pakistan tension and steps taken by Pakistan to de-escalate the situation, situation in tribal areas and others matters of national and regional interests...."

Sources said President Zardari is likely to address the nation on the prevailing situation and the steps taken by Pakistan to address the issues after the Mumbai terror attacks.

The Zardari-Gilani meeting came on the day Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh squarely blamed Pakistan for the Nov 26-29 Mumbai attacks, terming the government in Islamabad "fragile" and "irresponsible" and saying it had "utilised" terrorism as an instrument of state policy against India.