Nawaz sets another deadline on judges

ISLAMABAD - A resolution will be moved in the National Assembly on Monday for the restoration of the judges sacked by former President General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf last year.

This was disclosed at a joint news conference addressed by PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif, Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandyar Wali and JUI-F head Maulana Fazlur Rahman at the Punjab House here Friday.

The resolution would be drafted by a committee comprising two members each from PPP and PML-N, the leaders revealed to the reporters.

The decision to draft a resolution and form a committee for the purpose came as a result of efforts made by Asfandyar Wali and Fazl to bridge the differences between PML-N and PPP.

At the meeting of the heads of all four coalition parties last Tuesday the ANP and JUI had sought 72-hour time to play their role in bringing about an agreement to resolve the lingering judges’ issue.

Sharif said the resolution would be tabled in the National Assembly on Monday and after a debate it should be passed on Wednesday, which he asserted “must be the day of restoration of the judges.”

Asfandyar Wali said that he and the JUI chief had sought 72-hour time during the meeting of the coalition heads at the Zardari House last Tuesday to help bring about an agreed solution.

As a result of the efforts made thereafter it has been agreed to table a resolution in the National Assembly to undo all unconstitutional steps taken on November 3 last year by Gen (Retd) Musharraf, he said.

The ANP president said they had talks with Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari and both sides agreed to set up a committee to draft a  resolution for the restoration of the deposed judges.

He said the committee would finalize its work within the next two days to table the resolution in the National Assembly on Monday.

The ANP chief said that Asif Ali Zardari agreed to the proposal after discussing the matter with his “kitchen cabinet.”

Maulana Fazlur Rahman said JUI and ANP had played a key role in the face of apprehensions that the coalition was heading for a breakup.

He said the committee to draft the resolution would comprise two members each from PPP and PML-N.

Fazlur Rahman said the Assembly would debate the resolution on Monday and Tuesday.

To a question about restoration of the deposed judges on Wednesday, Maulana Fazlur Rahman said that it was “proposed” by PML-N, adding that the exercise could take a day more but the sacked judges would  definitely be restored during the coming week.

Nawaz Sharif said he was grateful to Maulana Fazlur Rahman and Asfandyar Wali for their “very positive role” for the restoration of the judges.