ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: The Pakistan Muslim League-N on Friday called for a joint session of the two houses of parliament to discuss the security situation in the country in the wake of US threats to carry out direct military operations in Pakistan’s tribal areas.

Talking to reporters, PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who has been nominated by his party as the opposition leader in the National Assembly, described the situation in border areas as ‘grave and critical’ and asked the government to convene the joint session of parliament as early as possible to form a consensus national policy. “The (joint) session should be called before it is too late,” he said.

Commenting on the statement of Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani about the army’s resolve to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs, Chaudhry Nisar said that such statements should also be issued by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari.