London, May 11 (ANI): Talks between key leaders of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) on the sacked judges' restoration issue being held here have ended in a deadlock.
PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif told the Dawn that a legal committee formed to work out the modalities for the implementation of the issue had not reached a consensus. He claimed that now the ball was in the PPP's court, as the PML-N had put its best foot forward on the vexed issue.
PML-N leader Khawaja Asif said there was no further chance of a meeting between PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif before the May 12 deadline.
Zardari told a private television channel that the reinstatement of the judiciary could not be separated from the constitutional context.
PPP sources said that the party had presented a 13-point formula for the reinstatement of the judiciary to the PML-N.
The PML-N's Central Working Committee and its parliamentary party is meeting in Islamabad tomorrow to determine the party's future course of action.
Meanwhile, federal Law Minister Farooq Naek has said that the Supreme Court (SC) Judges' Act can be amended if a consensus on the proposal is reached.
Naek was quoted by Aaj TV as saying on Saturday that the method for the restoration of the over 60 judges' was still being worked out.
Aitzaz Ahsan and Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, had differing opinions, he said. "Aitzaz has given his opinion in writing. We are waiting for Pirzada's opinion."
However, federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman has cautioned against the judges' being restored through an executive order, suggesting that if this step is taken, post-November 3, 2007 judges, who have taken the oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO), would immediately rule against the restored judges.
Gilani may seek dissolution of Pakistan Parliament if coalition collapses
Islamabad, May 11 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza gilani and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari are reported to be seriously thinking of dissolving the National Assembly if their coalition arrangement with Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) collapses.
Sources told The News that Gilani could opt use Article 58(1) of the 1973 Constitution, which provides him with the discretionary power to recommend the dissolution of Parliament if the ruling coalition collapses.
The sources said the party has discussed different options, including the dissolution of the National Assembly on the prime minister's advice in case of a break-up.
Zardari is reported to have informally said that he would not join hands with the Chaudhry Shujaat-led PML-Q.
Some PPP leaders say that it would be suicidal for the party to take this step at this stage.
A PML-N source, however, said Zardari could never commit the mistake of dissolving the assembly because in this case the people would think that he had put aside the interests of the party and the country and gained only personal benefits.
PPP spokesperson Farhatullah Babar when contacted said that it is a hypothetical question and that there was no need to get involved in hypotheses at this point in time.
Babar, however, believed the stakes are very high for the present democratic dispensation because for the first time there is a real opportunity to correct constitutional distortions, therefore, it was unlikely that the coalition would not fall apart. (ANI)
