While underscoring the need for Pakistan to have a clear and decisive leadership, a top British daily says that if the politicians cannot agree on a figure who can rise above the squabbles in Islamabad and endow him with the powers needed be effective in office, they should call for a popular vote.
"Democracy is always the best answer," newspaper Times argues and adds that the coalition in Pakistan is fragile and it could flounder as Asif Zardari and after Pervez Musharraf resigned as president. The meeting was attended by Nawaz Sharif, PML-N president and Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, JUI-F head Maulana Fazal-ur-Rahman, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali along and other leaders from all four parties.
Talking to reporters outside Zardari House, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman said that they have received the copies of the Murree Declaration. The JUI leader said he would hold consultations with party colleagues and also with PPP and PML-N. Asfandyar Wali said that there were no differences among the coalition partners and meetings and consultations would continue in the coming days for the restoration of the deposed judges.
"We are working on judges issue and we need 72 hours for consultation with party members," the ANP leader said. To a question, he said that there was no deadlock on the judges' issues and top priority was being given to it. PML-N sources said that the party demanded in the meeting to restore the deposed judges in accordance with the Murree Declaration and August 7 joint communiqué.
The sources said before the coalition meeting the PML-N Quaid chaired a party meeting at the Punjab House to discuss matters related to the deposed judges. According to the sources PML-N is demanding restoration of the deposed judges through an executive order as agreed in the Murree Declaration.