Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani will make a special address to the National Assembly today as pressure builds on his government to explain how Osama bin Laden was able to run Al-Qaeda control centre in Abbottabad, not far from the capital.

Gilani’s speech, which will be the first direct message to Pakistanis since bin Laden was killed by US commandos at a compound in Abbottabad a week ago, comes amid angry reaction in Pakistan to the US violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty by carrying out commando operation to kill Osama Bin Laden.

The US raid has embarrassed the military establishment and plunged the government into crisis.

An emergency meeting involving President Zardari, Gilani, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and senior ministers at the weekend reviewed national security and foreign policy in the wake of the Abbottabad raid.

Mr Gilani, who went overseas last week despite the US operation, said he ‘’will take the nation into confidence through the platform of the parliament’’.