Political turmoil deepens

The talks on restoration of deposed judges and impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf between PPP and PML (N) remained inconclusive on the second day (Wednesday) as Mian Nawaz Sharif showed indignation on the summary okayed by president and sent to Governor Sindh for re-appointment of Sindh High Court's five permanent and three ad hoc judges (they will reportedly take oath on today (Thursday).
According to sources, a joint press conference or statement is expected by Thursday afternoon. After holding talks at Punjab House, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and other leaders from the both parties were holding talks at PM House when we went to press.
The restoration of judiciary at its November 2, 2007 position now seems an uphill task as complications are multiplying by the each passing day. When the talks ended yesterday there were signals that both the main coalition partners have finalised a road map vis-à-vis president impeachment and judges reinstatement.
Shahbaz Sharif heading a delegation of both the parties visited ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali in Karachi to take him into confidence on all the issues and decision made by the main coalition partners so far. However, there was no representative of ANP in the two-day meeting held in Islamabad.
JUI Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was also called from Dera Ismail Khan on board a special chopper to participate in the decisive round of talks held today. When the leaders parted for lunch, it was imminent that the coalition will announce the roadmap for carrying out the task of Musharraf's impeachment and restoration of deposed judges.
PML (N) Chief Nawaz Sharif left for Punjab house in the a very positive mood to tell his party men that most of the hurdles have been removed and an announcement giving the timeframe to implement the road map will be made in the evening.
But the summary okayed by President for re-appointment of Sindh High Court judges once again stalled the negotiations and both the mainstream political parties are back to square one. The main coalition partner Pakistan Peoples' party was of the view that judges can be reinstated only through a constitutional package or amendment but the president okayed the summary for their reappointment without getting it approved by the parliament.
The approval by the president has also nullified the constraints being pointed out by the PPP for resolving the judicial crisis. The governor Sindh Ishratul Ibad also flew to Islamabad and met President Musharraf assuring him full support in case impeachment motion was moved against him in the parliament.
He also played a key role in mind make up of the deposed judges to take a fresh oath for their reappointment instead of reinstatement. Nawaz Sharif rejoined the talks at about 8 pm, after a telephonic contact by Asif Ali Zardari, with the demand that the order to re-appoint five permanent and three ad hoc judges of Sindh High Court be declared null and void.
On the other hand the PML (Q) and MQM leadership called president Pervez Musharraf to discussed the latest development vis-à-vis the talks being held for his impeachment by the ruling coalition government. They assured him full support in case of any eventuality. The president was up beat after the re-appointment order of Sindh High Court Judges and meeting with PML (Q) and MQM. He decided to leave for China to take a part in the inauguration ceremonies of Beijing Olympic.