Islamabad, Oct. 8 : The Pakistan Parliament''s in-camera joint session to discuss the state of national security has begun.

President Asif Zardari, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, summoned the in-camera session to discuss current security situation in the country and devise a comprehensive and consensus strategy in order to counter scourge of terrorism and extremism.

Peshawar, Oct 8: Taking a strong exception to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent comment describing Kashmiri militants as ‘terrorists’, the PML-Q, a key Opposition party in Pakistan, has said that “a mentally sick person” could not be allowed to make all decisions on his own, especially at a time when the country was facing both internal as well as external threats.

The party said that President Zardari had “damaged” the Kashmir cause by calling Kashmiri freedom fighters as ‘terrorists’ in an interview with a foreign newspaper.

Washington, Oct 6 : During his maiden eight-day US visit, newly elected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari committed some “strategic mistakes” like not meeting the Democrats, even presidential and vice-presidential nominees Barack Obama and Joe Biden, respectively, the top PPP leadership In the US who had converged in New York from even as far as Canada, and not interacting with the media during the entire visit, except one press conference which was proceeded by some key events, said an article in The News.

Lahore, Oct 6 : Pakistan’s Law Minister Farooq H. Naek today said that President Asif Ali Zardari can decide on the case of Sarabjit Singh, who was arrested on charges of terrorism and is facing the death penalty.

Naek, while talking to media persons at Kot Lakhpat jail here, said that he met Sarabjit on the directive of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Zardari.

He said that he asked the jail authorities to provide details of Sarabjit’s case, adding President can exercise his power to release any prisoner under article 45 of the constitution.

New Delhi, Oct 6 : Union Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma has welcomed Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari''''s remarks that militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir are terrorists.

Zardari''''s statement describing militants in Kashmir as terrorists, who were earlier called jehadis, was termed by Sharma to be a confirmation of India''''s assertions all these years.

"India had always raised the matter of cross-border terrorism on international fora and Zardari''''s statement confirms this", Sharma said.

Islamabad, Oct 6 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have reportedly resolved to crush terrorism within the country, particularly in the tribal areas, and evolve a new security plan for political and religious leaders, at a meeting held at the President’s House last evening.

The two top leaders said terrorists were on the run in Bajaur Agency and that they needed to be contained, reported the Dawn.