ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif met on Friday for what a source described as “thorough discussions” on the fight against terrorism and Nato supplies.

“Security related matters and issues relating to national importance came under discussion,” a brief statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.

It was the first working meeting between Mr Sharif and Gen Sharif since the latter assumed the command of the army late last month.

They had met earlier for a courtesy meeting immediately after the change in the army command.

Gen Sharif has since travelled to both Waziristan and the Line of Control to meet troops deployed there and received intelligence and operational briefings.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of deadly attacks on polio vaccination teams in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and an army convoy in North Waziristan ostensibly by Taliban militants with whom the government is planning to hold talks.

A source said the prime minister discussed the peace initiative with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan that had been held up since the killing of TTP leader Hakeemullah Mehsud.

The two are reported to have deliberated on a number of options, particularly in the context of US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel’s call for “determined effort to root out terrorism and militancy”.

Mr Hagel had raised concerns over the continued presence of terrorist havens in tribal areas and enhanced activities of militant groups, particularly the Haqqani network.

Fight against terrorism is one area that could determine the future of civil-military relations.

The other issue that came under discussion was the blockade of Nato supply routes through Torkham due to PTI protests.

The route is critical for the drawdown of US and coalition forces in Afghanistan.

The United States has called for restoration of the supply routes and warned that continued closure could affect security aid and reimbursement of coalition support claims.