LAHORE, Feb 15: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a one-to-one meeting here on Sunday. They are said to have discussed political issues, including Senate polls, lawyers’ movement and increasing incidence of terrorism in the province.

While political observers said the meeting had been held in the wake of the PML-N’s mounting pressure on the issue of independent judiciary, handouts issued by both sides had little to say about the issue taken up by the two leaders.

It is learnt that they agreed to respect each other’s mandate and avoid ‘horse-trading’ in Senate polls and decided to nominate their candidates onnn the basis of their strength in assemblies.

Mr Gilani cited the example of unopposed election of Senators in Sindh and said he desired that the same pattern was repeated in other provinces.

Sources said Mr Sharif assured Mr Gilani that law and order would be maintained during the ‘long march’.

Mr Sharif informed Mr Gilani about measures taken by the provincial government for improving the law and order situation in Punjab.

He requested the federal government to share intelligence about militants’ movement from the NWFP or Balochistan to pre-empt terror attacks.

The two leaders agreed to work together to steer the country out of political, economic and security crises, and strengthen democracy.

Mr Sharif is said to have complained that Governor Salman Taseer was “interfering” in administrative affairs and was in contact with the PML-Q in a bid to destabilise the coalition government in Punjab.

Mr Gilani, the sources said, assured Mr Sharif that he would take up the matter with President Asif Ali Zardari.