Coalition squabbles over judiciary: JUI-F and ANP given 72 hours

Coalition leaders, who met here on Tuesday, ended the meeting unceremoniously. There was no press conference and no joint communiqué. Nawaz Sharif and his team members left the venue without talking to media persons waiting outside Zardari House. Team members of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) followed them.
Asfandyar Wali and Fazlur Rehman briefed the press and insisted that talks had not deadlocked, but ANP and JUI-F sought 72 hours time to review the reportedly time-bound agreement that was made between the PPP and PML-N how to proceed on impeachment and restoration of judiciary--an agreement that was not publicised. After resignation of the President people were expecting the next move regarding judiciary will come.
The meeting on Tuesday lasted for about two hours to formulate the strategy, but came as a shock for political forces and common people waiting for news. The meting ended with no outcome. Sources privy to meeting told Business Recorder that Asif Zardari was reluctant regarding restoration of judiciary and, after seeing his reluctance, Nawaz left the meeting with a very negative body language. He even did not talk to media persons.
The ANP and JUI leaders took reconciliatory role and sought 72 hours to relink the broken dialogue for restoration of judges. They said that the coalition leaders would meet on Friday, and matters would be resolved amicably.
Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif in the morning was in high spirits and had told media that the judges' restoration was the demand of the nation and the matter should not be delayed further. He had expressed hope that Asif would fulfil his promise of reinstating all judges.
Nawaz said the coalition had decided that the judiciary would be restored on pre-November 3 position. Fazl said the two major parties had held dialogue in past two months but did not take JUI-F, ANP and FATA into confidence. So they demanded 72 hours to hold discussions with their respective parties.
"We have been given 72 hours to hold consultations over the issue and we would sit together and will remain in contact with the two large parties", Fazl said.
Asfandyar said PPP and PML-N did not take the smaller components into confidence. "We have been given documents in the meeting and we will mull over them and for the purpose we took 72-hour time".