ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Saturday discussed the ongoing volatile situation in Balochistan and resolved to make efforts for seeking political solution to the problem.

At the same, they also expressed the determination to deal sternly with subversive and disruptive elements.

The discussion took place when Prime Minister Shujaat met Gen Musharraf at the president's camp office in Rawalpindi.

The premier discussed with the president in detail the overall law and order situation in the country.

He was also accompanied by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz during the meeting which lasted for about 90 minutes.

They said that the government would not compromise on the development projects, especially the mega project of Gwadar, and would also clear all hurdles in the way of establishing the writ of law throughout Balochistan.

They reiterated the government's resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country at all cost.

Later, Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, ruling PML secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Syed and ISPR director-general Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan also held a separate meeting with the president which lasted for three hours.

Sheikh Rashid informed the president about the policies of information ministry while Gen Sultan briefed the president about the media projections of Wana operation and other related issues.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Rashid said that all issues pertaining to the betterment of media were discussed in the meeting but declined to disclose details.

Asked if recent arrests of Al Qaeda operatives and their publicity came under discussion, the minister replied in the negative.

He said the purpose of the discussion was mainly to focus on the need of mobilizing people at large and providing them information about government activities.

On another question, he said neither the controversial defamation bill nor the 7th Wage Board Award for journalists came under discussion at the meeting.

Informed sources, however, insisted that the president had issued instructions to the information ministry to streamline the official electronic media in order to give maximum projection at the national and international levels to the steps the government was taking to combat terrorism.

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