Zardari and Sharif fail to bridge gap at second meeting

Islamabad: Differences between the two major parties of Pakistan's ruling coalition on key issues remained unresolved as their leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif ended on Friday a second meeting within three days.

The leaders of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), however, agreed to hold further rounds of talks early next month, party official officials said after the meeting held at Sharif's Raiwind farm house near Lahore.

The issues of restoration of the deposed judges, the constitutional package proposed by PPP and contemplated impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf came under discussion during the Zardari-Sharif meetings, which were also attended by aides of the two leaders.

PML-N central leader Khawaja Asif said the leaders had tried to "narrow down the gap between the positions of the two parties."

He said a few more rounds would be held in early July to arrive at a consensus on dealing with the three issues. "Both parties are making sincere efforts," he said.

As reported by Reuters, Zardari said that beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf will soon be replaced with the PPP's own candidate.

The statement has cranked up speculation US ally Musharraf could quit within weeks or months.

The party is trying to work out a dignified exit for him, hoping he will step down, party officials say.