Asif stands his ground on PCO judges

Sunday, May 04, 2008 News Desk RAWALPINDI: Pakistan People's Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday stood his ground on retaining the PCO judges after the restoration of the deposed judges, Geo News reported. Talking to newsmen after holding talks with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman here, he said he had made it clear at his press conference after signing the Murree Declaration that no existing judge of the Supreme Court would be shown the door. He said he agreed to give a big share to the MQM in the Sindh government because he believed in a grand reconciliation. He dispelled the impression that there was any difference between the coalition partners on the restoration of the deposed judges by May 12, as announced by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif a day earlier. Talking to a private TV channel Friday, Zardari was reluctant to commit himself to the May 12 deadline. JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said this was not time for protest rallies, rather this was time to remove constitutional hitches. He said they held talks on the issues confronting the country at present. He said he was signatory to London declaration and still stood by it. The London declaration, he added, called for doing away with the 17th amendment. Muhammad Anis adds: PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said he had started consultation process for restoration of judges by May 12. He held late night meeting with Fazl for little over an hour. Zardari reached Parliament Lodges at 11 pm and meeting continued for nearly 75 minutes. "I will also meet ANP leadership as part of this consultation process," he said. He said he and Nawaz Sharif had the same stance on restoration of judges through passing a resolution in the National Assembly. He said the resolution would be brought to the National Assembly on or before the date given by PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif but it was upto constitutional experts as how the process of resolution is to be carried out. He said he apprised Fazl about his Dubai meeting with Nawaz Sharif while issues relating to Fata also came under discussion.