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Musharraf holds meeting with army commanders

K J M Varma in Islamabad

Pakistan's corps commanders, headed by President Pervez Musharraf, on Thursday discussed the latest diplomatic and military moves being made between India and Pakistan and the defence preparedness of the troops on both sides.

The two-day conference, which began at the Army Headquarters at Rawalpindi, discussed a host of issues, including the situation on the Indo-Pak border, an official release said.

The corps commanders and the principle staff officers have been briefed on the latest scenario in the region arising out of the massive Indian build-up along the international borders, Line of Control and the Working Boundary, it said.

It also discussed the deployment of Pakistani troops and their state of readiness, the release said.

However, the release did not mention whether the meeting discussed the latest diplomatic moves by the two countries to ease tension.

Earlier, reports said the meeting was expected to discuss the tough stand taken by India that the only way Pakistan could reduce the tensions was to act on the list of 20 criminals and terrorists forwarded by New Delhi.

In the past few days, Pakistan had given indications that its officials looked for the 14 Indians who figured in the list. They included Mumbai underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, who reportedly lived in Karachi.

The issue was expected to be discussed in meeting, as the corps commanders' conference was considered to be the highest policy-making body of Musharraf's military regime.

Defence spokesman sought to play down the significance of the corps commanders' meeting.

Replying to a question, he said the meeting was held once a month. Therefore, putting any special significance to it was a "misplaced perception".

"This is one of our regular meetings. A lot of things are discussed in this. Definitely, the security environment in which Pakistan finds itself is discussed. Situation at the borders is discussed," he said, but declined to specify whether the extradition of those wanted in the Indian list figured at the meeting.

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