The closed-door meeting could also provide an opportunity for reconciliation between the military and the civilian government after a week of escalating tensions and rumors of a coup on the horizon.
Both army chief Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani were expected to attend, bringing the two men into the same room together at a time when the civilian and military sides of the government have appeared increasingly divided.
The army has staged at least three coups in Pakistan’s six-decade history and still considers itself the true custodian of the country’s interests. On Wednesday, it warned of “grievous consequences” for the country in an unusual statement, raising fear it might try again to oust the government.
Saturday’s meeting of the government’s defense committee was called to discuss recommendations from Parliament about new terms of engagement with the United States and NATO, Pakistani Interior Minister Rahman Malik said.
Pakistan set up this committee after errant airstrikes near the Afghan border killed 24 Pakistani troops in November. The incident prompted Islamabad to shut NATO and US supply routes running into Afghanistan through Pakistan.
Khursheed Ahmed, a member of Parliament’s national security committee, said lawmakers had recommended that the Islamabad seek “guarantees” from Washington that it would respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and avoid any future violations of the country’s borders.
He declined to say what such guarantees would look like or any other details. It was not clear if other aspects of Pakistan’s coordination with the US and NATO were also under review.
Tensions between the military and the government also have spiked after an unsigned memo was sent to Washington last year asking for its help in heading off a supposed coup.
Analysts say Gen. Kayani has little appetite for a coup, but they say the generals may be happy to allow the Supreme Court to dismiss the government by “constitutional means.” The court has legitimized early coups.
Gilani has called for a “show of confidence” vote in Parliament to support of the government. Lawmakers will vote on the resolution Monday.
The nuclear-armed country is facing a host of problems, among them near economic collapse and a virulent Al-Qaeda- and Taleban-led insurgency.
