ISLAMABAD, April 24 President Pervez Musharraf and some of his bitter political opponents shared the table at a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday for formation commanders and services chiefs at the lawns of the PM House.

Senior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Federal Education Minister Ahsan Iqbal, both of whom are outspoken critics of the president, sat facing him all the way.

Mr Iqbal even had his wife on the same table as spouses of the guests had also been invited to the dinner.

Sources told Dawn that another critic of President Musharraf, PML-N's Khawaja Mohammad Asif, attended the dinner, but did not share the table with him.

Others present on the main table with the president and the prime minister included Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen Tariq Majeed, navy chief Afzal Tahir, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Information Minister Sherry Rehman and Privatisation Minister Naveed Qamar.

This was the first time since the cabinet's oath-taking, on March 31, that a number of PML-N ministers came face to face with the president.

During the oath-taking, PML-N members had worn black arm bands and even boycotted the tea party thrown by President Musharraf. But this time, as the dinner was hosted by the prime minister, the PML-N ministers had no choice but to sit with the head of state.

The sources said that most of the ministers and guests left the Prime Minister House soon after the dinner and did not attend the musical evening.

Speaking on the occasion, the premier called for “a new and balanced relationship between the civil and military institutions of the state”.

Mr Gilani said the nation had welcomed the recent remarks by the army chief and his call regarding strict adherence to the oath to safeguard the Constitution.

“Adherence to the structural command by concentrating strictly on professional matters alone has also greatly enhanced the respect of the forces in the eyes of the people at large,” he added.

Mr Gilani appreciated the COAS's decision to recall military personnel serving against positions meant for civilians.Mr Gilani said the ultimate objective of the 1973 Constitution was to serve the nation. “The ultimate need of time is a coordinated and well thought-out joint action plan.

“Such a plan has not been so strong in the past. We cannot afford to waste time to argue about reasons for colossal mistakes of the past because not much is left with us,” he said.

He felicitated all those stakeholders who contributed to the democratic transition, especially the armed forces for their judicious and prudent approach to the unfolding political realities.

“Unlike other armies of the world, Pakistan Army carries a unique and delicate responsibility. It has to defend the ideological boundaries along with the geographical boundaries of this country,” he added.

Mr Gilani said for most of the people in the present government, for him in particular, the transition to democracy was an arduous path. “A journey painted with sweat and blood; with toils and labours; and with pain and anguish.

“Yet the journey was worth taking. And the long walk to freedom seems finally to be over.” he remarked.