Leaders of fragile coalition hold talks

Islamabad: Leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition on Tuesday agreed to continue their talks on the issue of restoring judges fired by the nation's President Pervez Musharraf, a party spokesman said.

Farhatullah Babar, a spokesman for Pakistan's ruling Pakistan People's Party, said their party chief Asif Ali Zardari met at his Islamabad residence with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and the two leaders "will again meet on Wednesday [today]". Babar provided no details about the six hours of talks yesterday.

Sharif has said he would press Zardari for the reinstatement of judges fired last year by Musharraf, which was a condition of his party joining the coalition after February elections that installed Pakistan's first civilian-led government in eight years.

Crucial

Sharif's spokesman, Sadiqul Farooq, described the meeting as crucial for the future of the alliance.

The stand-off between the coalition partners has hampered the functioning of the government amid mounting economic problems and militancy.

Support

Sharif pulled his ministers from the Cabinet in May, but says his party still supports the coalition.

Zardari, the widowed husband of slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto, initially agreed to restore the judges but stalled, later saying that step should be part of a broader set of constitutional reforms.

Sharif also wants to seek the impeachment of Musharraf. Zardari appears more reticent at confronting the former army strongman and staunch US ally.