...and now presidential order

LAHORE - The PPP government has finally decided to reinstate deposed judges through a presidential order as in that case they would not be required to take fresh oath. But this would be done in phases. Six judges of the Lahore High Court would be reinstated after the restoration of eight Sindh High Court judges, the sources said.

The fate of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is still hanging in balance as it is yet to be seen whether PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari agrees on his reinstatement or not.

Conflicting signals are being given by party insiders. Some party leaders say deposed CJ would also be brought back in his office while others say he would not be reinstated at any cost. The sources said the homework had been done on this issue and the order would be issued once the Assembly session was over.

The LHC judges who are likely to be restored include Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Justice Ijaz Chaudhry and Justice Sair Ali.