Reinstating deposed judges top priority says Pakistani leader

Dubai: Nawaz Sharif, chief of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), said the reinstatement of judges is the top priority on his agenda.

Speaking to reporters on his arrival at the Dubai International Airport late on Tuesday, Sharif said the reinstatement of judges should be de-linked from the constitutional package that also include resolution to curtail powers of the president of Pakistan.

Sharif rushed to Dubai to salvage talks that failed to reach conclusion on Monday, risking split between the key partners of the coalition government. Dozens of PML-N supporters, including Noorul Hassan Tanveer, chief coordinator of the PML-N for Middle East and Chaudhry Mohammad Altaf, president of the party in the UAE, received him at the airport amidst chanting of ‘Long Live Nawaz Sharif'.

Parties in the coalition had agreed in March to restore deposed judges by April 30 and curtail the power of the president. However, differences have erupted in the coalition partners on the modalities of implementing the agreement. Wednesday's meeting is expected to be conclusive and will decide the future of the two major partner in the coalition government.

Senior PML-N leaders, including Shahbaz Sharif, Khawaja Asif and Chaudhry Nisar Ali who are already in Dubai for the last three days, also came to the airport to receive their party chief.

"I appeal to you all to pray for the success of negotiation because it is very important for the future of Pakistan and democracy," he said to people who came to receive him.

Sharif is meeting Zardari in Dubai on Wednesday to hold dialogue on the restoration of the deposed judges. The deadline for this expires on Wednesday. Lawyers in Pakistan have threatened to launch mass protest next month if judges are not restored.

Sharif had earlier sent Shahbaz Sharif, president of the PML-N and two other senior leaders, including Chaudhry Nisar Ali, senior minister, and Khawja Asif, petroleum minister, to push Zardari to reinstate judges by April 30, the agreed deadline between the two parties in the Murre Declaration — an agreement signed by them before entering into coalition government.

The talks failed as Zardari did not want to accept a deadline. Zardari said the reinstatement of judges would be brought about through a constitutional package and not by following a deadline.