Pakistan military get government role

The Pakistani cabinet has approved draft legislation to set up a National Security Council, formalising a permanent role for the military in governing the country.

It will be headed by the president and will include the prime minister, speakers of the two houses of parliament, the four provincial chief ministers, and four top commanders from the armed forces.

An official statement said the NSC would serve as a forum for consultation on matters of national security, democracy and governance.

A number of opposition parties have opposed the creation of a National Security Council, saying that the involvement of the armed forces in governing the country would undermine democracy.

The BBC correspondent in Islamabad says the country's armed forces have always looked for a constitutional role in government - but the demand has so far been resisted by civilian governments, despite Pakistan's history of military intervention.

Our correspondent says, since the government requires only a simple majority, having the bill approved in parliament will be a mere formality.