Gilani meets Shahbaz as political scene hots up

Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani conferred on Monday with Shahbaz Sharif, president of the main opposition Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), as the government grapples with the aftermath of last week's landmark Supreme Court verdict.

The two-hour-long meeting held at the residence of Gilani in Lahore was the first top-level contact between the PML-N and the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party since the court reopened dormant corruption cases by striking down a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

Analysts say a climate of conflict could arise between the judiciary and the executive if the government deviated from its promise to implement the verdict. Should that happen the role of the military will be crucial in the situation, they point out.

A key element in the court verdict is the directive to the government to get reopened money laundering cases in Switzerland, which involve President Asif Ali Zardari.

The apex court has also ordered new appointments of head and other key officials of the National Accountability Bureau, besides directing that action be taken against former attorney general Malek Adul Qayyum over the withdrawal of Swiss cases.

The PML-N leadership has adopted a cautious approach, saying while supporting the accountability process it would do nothing that may upset the democratic system.