Pakistan's coalition fails to reach consensus on judges' issue

Islamabad, Apr 22 (UNI) Top leaders of Pakistan's coalition government today failed to reach a consensus on the reinstatement of deposed judges amid reports of a deadlock among them on modalities.

Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson Asif Zardari and his fellow coalition leader and Pakistan Muslim League(N) chief Nawaz Sharif held discussions for two days, which concluded here with an understanding to refer the issue to a committee of coalition partners.

''It was decided that a committee of coalition partners will give a final shape to proposals in consultations with the legal fraternity,'' Law Minister Farooq H Naik said on the sidelines of the joint press conference of Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif.

The two parties had pledged to restore judges through a parliamentary resolution within 30 days of the forming of their government, in a declaration they signed at the hill resort of Bhurban in March.

President Pervez Musharraf had deposed 60 judges of superior judiciary, including chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, in November after they refused to take fresh oath following imposition of emergency in the country.

''We stand by the Bhurban declaration and its implementation in true letter and spirit within 30 days as promised,'' Mr Sharif said.

However, despite repeated questions, the two leaders did not specify as to when the resolution would be tabled in the National Assembly.

''It will be in the assembly very soon,'' Mr Sharif said, adding he wanted the entire issue to be disposed of quickly but Mr Zardari wanted him to wait.

He replied in affirmative when asked if the coalition government would repeal Article 58(2)(b) from the Constitution, which confers powers on the President to dissolve the Assembly and dismiss the government.

Mr Sharif had scrapped the provision during his last stint in the government in 1997 but President Musharraf reintroduced it as part of the controversial 17th amendment bill.

The PPP co-chairperson said the coalition government was determined to provide justice to people, adding a constitutional package will also be introduced in the assembly.

UNI XC SYU AS1712