KARACHI, Jan 15: President Asif Ali Zardari chaired an urgent meeting late in the night of senior PPP leaders from all provinces to review the crisis emerging from the sit-in led by Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri near the Parliament House.

On Tuesday, President Zardari was briefed by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on the evolving political situation and they exchanged views on its constitutional and legal aspects.

According to sources, the president reiterated his commitment towards strengthening the ongoing democratic process by holding free, fair and transparent elections on time.

In this connection, he said, consultation with leaders of allied parties would continue.

The president also had a meeting with party leaders about the constituencies in Kashmore and Naushehro Feroze. They are reported to have informally discussed the consequences of the court decision and the long march.

The president expressed optimism that the continuity of the democratic system would be ensured and all conspiracies against it would be foiled.