Stubborn Zardari says Chaudhry will not be reinstated as Pak CJ

Lahore, Mar.15 (ANI): Despite national and international pressure to put an end to the ongoing political turmoil in the country, President Asif Ali Zardari is firm about not reinstating sacked Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

During a meeting with senior Pakistan People's Party leaders, Zardari said he was ready to accept all demands of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) but that of reinstating Iftikhar Chaudhry as the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

According to sources, Zardari said he was also ready to hold talks with the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif under the Charter of Democracy (CoD) signed between the PPP and PML-N.

He said the PCO judges would be removed if the PML-N keeps out from the lawyers' Long March.

"Issues should be resolved in parliament, not on the streets. Doors are still open for talks, for the PML-N to come to the negotiations table," The Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

ardari added that the PPP believed in reconciliation and dialogue, that is why the government had decided to review the Supreme Court's verdict of disqualifying the Sharif brother from contesting the elections.

Meanwhile, Zardari has reportedly told Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Army that he alone is capable of dealing with the lawyers and opposition parties.

"I alone can handle this crisis. I will set everything right," sources privy to the presidency quoted Zardari, as saying.

However, the President's spokesperson, Farhatullah Babar denied that Zardari made any such declaration during the recent high-level discussions with the Gilani and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. (ANI)