ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military chief met top commanders Thursday amid a widening rift between the powerful armed forces and the civilian government.

Military spokesman Maj. Muhammad Ali Diyal declined to say what the talks at army headquarters were about, but the meeting is likely to fuel speculation about the army's next move in the country's political and legal crisis.

Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister fired the defence secretary and the military issued an unusual statement warning of ''grievous consequences'', as the fallout from a scandal centred on a memo written to Washington asking for its help in reining in the generals widened.

The Supreme Court is investigating that affair and a second one linked to past corruption cases against the president.

The Zardari government, which was democratically elected in 2008, is determined to see out its term. General elections are scheduled for next year, but could well take place sooner. Moreover, the government has been widely criticised for ineptness, poor or ineffectual governance, and alleged corruptio