Islamabad, Thursday, January 08, 2009: The sacked National Security Advisor of Pakistan Mehmud Ali Durrani has told a private channel that he had indirectly consulted President Asif Ali Zardari before going public with the news that 26/11 terrorist Qasab is a Pakistani.
Meanwhile, even before the Prime Minister’s Office issued an official statement on Durrani’s dismissal, media reports in Pakistan quoted a furious Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani journalist as telling some that Durrani has embarrassed him.

“Durrani has embarrassed the country and me by going public with the report of Ajmal Qasab’s nationality without my permission. I have dismissed him with immediate effect,” said Gilani.

In another related development, Durrani’s sacking has now sparked off media speculations about tensions between Zardari and Gilani.

After admitting under pressure that 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab is a Pakistani national, Pakistan on Wednesday night sacked National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani, citing “irresponsible behaviour”.

A retired Army General and former Ambassador to the United States, Durrani spoke out even when he was not allowed to do so. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani fired NSA Durrani, by accusing him of showing “indiscretion” on security matters.