By KUNA,
Islamabad : The two ruling coalition partners of Pakistan are meeting here on Tuesday to hold crucial make or break talks on issues that have practically paralyzed their government.
Asif Ali Zardari, Co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), was holding a consultation meeting with his party’s senior members whereas, Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), was traveling to Islamabad from Lahore city to attend the meeting.
A press statement, issued after the PPP meeting said a wide range of issues including war on terror, economic crisis as well as law and order situation were discussed, adding that the meeting also deliberated upon status of coalition partnerships, ongoing debate on impeachment of the President and restoration of the sacked judges.
It was pointed out that the war on terror had turned into a war for the survival of Pakistan, it said. The participants stressed that it had become imperative to take effective and bold measures to contain the menace which was threatening the social and political fabric of the country, it added. The meeting is significant from the perspective that the two parties are likely to finally resolve irritant glitches including disagreement on Musharraf-deposed judges issues and Musharraf’s impeachment by the Parliament.
The two sides sincerely want to save their sinking coalition but the flip side of the story is that none of them is ready to change stances over the issues of judges’ reinstatement, party sources told KUNA.
The PML-N wants restoration of all 60 judges, who were deposed by Musharraf on November 3 during his emergency rule last year, including former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chauhdary but the PPP was ready to reinstate all judges except Iftikhar.
Even, several deposed judges of Lahore High Court and Sindh High Court have been contacted by the PPP and offered reinstatement package. But they have been barred from accepting any package without Iftikhar’s reinstatement.
PML-N quit the Federal cabinet after the PPP backed from its earlier reached agreement to reinstate all judges.
On the issue of President Musharrafs reinstatement, the two parties have asked the President to voluntarily step down to face impeachment. Local press reports here Tuesday said that Asif Ali Zardari, is considering to ask the President to seek vote of confidence in an attempt to placate Sharif to esure continuation of the ruling coalition. The plan in this regard will also be discussed during the meeting.