PPP-led government, after high level foreign mediation, is likely to restore PML-N-led government in Punjab and reinstate the November 2 judiciary with Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as Chief Justice. The government is expected to make the decision public before March 12, the day when the lawyers and political parties would start their long march for the reinstatement of deposed judges.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani upon his return from the United States after a week-long visit briefed President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani separately on US concerns about the ongoing political impasse in the country, well informed sources told Business Recorder exclusively on Wednesday.
Asif Zardari, reportedly, assured foreign mediators that he would restore the November 2, 2007 judiciary, including Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, as well as Shahbaz Sharif's government in the Punjab.
The president is seeking a guarantee from the mediators that reinstated judiciary would not raise the issue of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) before it was approved by the parliament possibly with the support of the PML (N).
The foreign authorities have provided guarantee that the case regarding the NRO will not be opened by Justice Iftikhar. General Kayani during his meeting on Tuesday reportedly apprised President Zardari about the reservations shown by American administration on deepening political turmoil in Pakistan.
The Obama Administration has been keeping a vigil on Pakistan and it is closely monitoring every political and non-political move in this country, sources said. Obama and his team want to support Pakistan in its war on terror to make sure the complete elimination of terrorism and terror.
The basic difference of opinion between the PPP and the PML (N) is granting indemnity to Pervez Musharraf action of November 3, 2007 of imposition emergency. Through the 18th Amendment, according to the PML (N), the PPP is seeking the transfer of power of indemnity from parliament to the president. The PML (N) opposed it and there was heated debate on this issue in the National Assembly in December last. Sources said that details of these issues would be finalised through mutual consultation, as the PML (N) will support the PPP on almost every critical issue.