Pak PM meets army chief amid crisis

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the country's powerful army chief yesterday agreed on the need to "expeditiously" end a political crisis triggered by protests aimed at unseating the government.

A statement from Sharif's office said General Raheel Sharif called on the PM at his official residence in Islamabad's government district known as the red zone.

Thousands of demonstrators led by opposition politician Imran Khan and populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri have camped out in the zone since August 15, demanding Sharif resign.

Khan claims last year's general election which swept Sharif to power in a landslide was rigged, though international observers said it was largely fair.

The crisis has rattled Sharif's government 15 months into a five-year term and prompted rumours the army may intervene to resolve matters -- and in doing so effectively put the elected government under its thumb.

Pakistan has been ruled by the military for more than half its 67-year history and the armed forces still have strong influence.

General Sharif and the prime minister -- the two are not related -- met and discussed the "overall security environment including the prevailing situation", the statement said.

"There was a consensus on the need to resolve the ongoing issue expeditiously in the best national interest," it said.