28 February 2005	Monday	18 Muharram 1426

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: The third meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) will be held here on Monday with President Gen Pervez Musharraf in the chair. The meeting will discuss a three-point agenda, including the issue of Balochistan.

Like on previous two occasions, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rahman and NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani will stay away from Monday's meeting in line with the MMA decision to boycott the NSC.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz is reported to have tried to persuade Mr Durrani during a meeting on Saturday to change his mind, but the invitation was politely declined. Maulana Fazl was approached by PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, but he too expressed his inability to attend the meeting.

Besides, Maulana Fazl has been advised two week's rest by doctors in Peshawar due to aggravating sciatica pain and he cannot travel to Islamabad. The NSC comprises Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro, National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain, chief ministers of the four provinces, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman, three services chiefs and the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.

Gen Musharraf had taken a serious view of the absence of the NWFP chief minister in the first NSC meeting. He, however, did not offer any remarks in the second meeting which also was boycotted by the MMA representatives.

According to official sources, the NSC meeting, will discuss the overall law and order situation, the problem of Balochistan and its possible solutions, proposed educational reforms for religious schools and the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service.