President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday welcomed the initiative by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to approach political parties and leaders for an All Parties Conference to evolve national consensus on security situation.

Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said the President commended the Prime Minister for taking `a very correct and timely decision' in the larger interest of the country.

He said it was necessary to evolve a national consensus and the Prime Minister's initiative was the need to the time in the backdrop of the latest developments.

The President said with the spirit of national unity and harmony the courageous and resilient people of Pakistan have surmounted all challenges in the past.

They are capable of facing the current challenges with hope, courage and unity and will do so in the future as well, he said.

He said the Prime Minister has been contacting political leadership of the country to discuss security situation in the country and would soon hold APC of parties and leaders, Farhatullah Babar said.