Negotiations between the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on the issues of judges and a motion to impeach President Pervez Musharraf have stalled though both parties have signalled to keep the alliance between the two intact.
A meeting between PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif took place on Wednesday in the latter's Raiwind farm house where both agreed that it would be dangerous if both parties broke up their alliance. They agreed that the dialogue should continue and again meet on June 20 after they consult with their respective party ranks, sources claimed.
On Wednesday's meeting discussed the restoration of deposed judges and the impeachment through a constitutional amendment package, the upcoming by-elections, expansion of the Punjab Cabinet and some other matters. Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Zafar ul Haq, Khawaja Asif, Sardar Zulifqar Ali Khosa, Javed Hashmi, Ahsan Iqbal, Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir and Khawaja Saad Rafique helped Sharif.
PPP leaders Rehman Malik, Raja Riaz, Jehangir Badr, Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas, Fouzia Wahab, Azizur Rehman Channa and Rukhsana Bangash did with Zardari. Sources claimed both were firm in restoring the deposed judges in accordance with the Murree Declaration and the swift impeachment. Zardari told Nawaz to join the federal cabinet so that performance of different ministries could be further improved for the benefit of the public at large.
Zardari tried to convince his coalition partners that the they should avoid tabling an impeachment motion against Musharraf without securing a two-thirds majority in the Senate and the National Assembly. Asif also agreed that the judges' reinstatement be linked with the constitutional amendment package. It was also proposed to form a joint committee to settle the impeachment issue with both also making five-seat adjustments in the upcoming by-polls.
After the meeting, PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal told reporters that both wanted the judges reinstated, Musharraf impeached and their alliance cemented but they had differences on modalities to achieve these objectives. Ahsan said both considered Musharraf as an unconstitutional president and claimed that the presidency was still conspiring but the coalition partners would foil them. He also said that Musharraf was trying to protect his rule.