ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 Senior British diplomat Mark Lyall Grant on Tuesday started talks with Pakistan's top political leaders, triggering speculations that he might be seeking concessions for former president Gen Pervez Musharraf, who faces a possible trial for high treason.

Mr Grant, who is currently the director of political affairs at the British Foreign Office, has also served as the High Commissioner in Islamabad.

The British diplomat met President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday and is likely to call on PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday.

Mr Grant was involved in talks between President Musharraf and PPP leader Benazir Bhutto in 2007, facilitating her return to Pakistan and the release of her husband, Mr Zardari, from jail. He later remained at the centre of talks last year which helped Musharraf to step down and avoid impeachment by parliament. Mr Musharraf is currently living in Britain.

Following last month's Supreme Court decision which declared the imposition of emergency on Nov 3, 2007, by the former president illegal and unconstitutional, the PML-N has been calling for initiating action against Mr Musharraf on charges of treason.

Mr Grant, sources said, was also trying to achieve a reconciliation between the PPP and the PML-N to ensure political stability, enabling the country to cope with issues like economic crisis, terrorism, Pakistan-India relations and inflation.

Last month's meeting between the president and the PML-N chief in Raiwind was believed to have been made possible by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

Diplomats said that during his meeting with President Zardari, Mr Grant also called for expediting the trial of the accused involved in the Mumbai attacks and provide New Delhi with some face saving gesture for the resumption of peace talks.

He is also reported to have sought Islamabads support for peaceful presidential elections in Afghanistan.

A statement issued by the presidency said President Zardari and Mr Grant discussed matters relating to bilateral relations between the two countries, relief and rehabilitation measures for the displaced people and the reconstruction process in Swat and Malakand.