Islamabad, Mar.2 (ANI): Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf may allow the restoration of over 60 deposed judges if Parliament passes that decision by a two-thirds majority, one of his top aides has said.
Categorically denying that the Presidency was conspiring against anyone, a key member of the presidential camp, on condition of anonymity, said the judges' restoration is out of question unless it is done through a Constitutional Amendment.
He ruled out the possibility of getting the pre-Nov 3 judiciary restored through an executive order.
Talking to The News, Musharraf's top aide, said PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari would not be foolish enough to get the judges restored as demanded by Nawaz Sharif and "some others" as that that would be unconstitutional.
Admitting that the PML-Q is history now, he argued that the political fight is now between the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-N.
He said only time would tell who between the PPP and the PML-N would outshine whom, admitting that Nawaz Sharif has so far played his cards extremely well.
The president's press secretary, Major General (retired) Rashid Qureshi, also said that there is no need to cast aspersions or create doubts on the president's meetings with different persons.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to give all deposed judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry their salaries and perks and privileges till their retirement date, though they will not be considered judges during this period, a Geo TV report said.
The deposed judges were set to retire in one to six years period, but the November-3 Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) sent them packing much before it.
Sources said salaries of all these judges have been transferred to their bank accounts.
In another development, according to the Daily Times, some lawyers want an executive order for the restoration of the judiciary while others are pressing for a Constitutional Amendment within the parliament for this purpose.
Lawyers across the country have been protesting against President Pervez Musharraf's removal of top judges last year.
The division between lawyers came to light on a Geo TV programme on Saturday when Senator Latif Khosa from the PPP said the winning parties of the February 18 polls could not oust Musharraf through a "punch".
He said the issue of Article 58(2b), Legal Framework Order and reinstatement of judges should be constitutionally resolved, within the parliament.
Musharraf issued the LFO in August 2002. It provided for the general elections of 2002 and the revival of the 1973 Constitution.
Former SCBA president Justice (retired) Tariq Mahmood said the judges' restoration was more political than a legal issue.
He said the PML-N and the PPP - coalition partners for the incoming government - should take a firm stand on the issue, and added that Musharraf's extra-constitutional acts could be nullified through a "simple" majority in the parliament.
Anees Jilani, a legal expert, said that no executive order could restore the sacked judges. He said that a parliamentary committee would have to be constituted wherein lawyers from both sides debate on the issue.
Jilani warned that Musharraf could also get a stay order against any Constitutional Amendment against his decisions. (ANI)
