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Sharif, Zardari fail to strike consensus on judges' issue, impeachment

I won't resign, parliament has right to impeach me, says Musharraf

The Daily Times, Lahore
Pakistan People s Part}- (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif failed to strike consensus on several issues including the reinstatement of the sacked judges and a move to impeach President Pervez Musharraf during a meeting held at Nawaz's Raiwind residence on Wednesday
Zardari said that a move to impeach Musharaf should be avoided until a two-thirds majority is attained in both houses of parliament, while Nawaz insisted that the coalition does in fact enjoy such a majority in parliament.
The PPP co-chairman asked the PML-N ministers to rejoin the federal cabinet, adding that it was in the national interest and essential to streamline the functions of governmental institutions. Nawaz however maintained that his party members would not consider rejoining the federal cabinet until the sacked judges were restored in accordance with the Murree Declaration.
Zardari also urged Nawaz to reconsider the constitutional
package as a means of restoring the sacked judges, and said it would help to avoid many legal and constitutional complications. The PML-N chief said that his party was firm on their position to restore the judiciary to its pre-November 2, 2007 status through an executive order instead of the parliament.
Both leaders reiterated their resolve to keep the coalition intact.
Sources privy to the meeting said that both leaders agreed that any break in the current coalition would harm the country and it should hence be maintained at all costs.
Ahsan Iqbal told reporters after the meeting that both coalition partners agreed on the restoration of all sacked judges of the higher courts, yet differed on a practical method to achieve this. “Our position is that we want to see the restoration of judges and the removal of Musharraf as quickly as possible,” Iqbal said, adding, “We have differences of opinion on the issues, but our goal is the same."
Iqbal said the sacked judiciary would be reinstated at all costs, but strongly ruled out giving any concessions to the present judges appointed through the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO). Tt is
unfair to treat PCO judges and non-PCO judges on an equal basis,” he said.
He said his party was steadfast on its agenda and had made it clear to the PPP leadership that Musharraf should be forced to quit his office as soon as possible, as he was busy conspiring against democracy in the President's Camp Office. He said the next round of talks would be held on June 20, when Zardari will again visit the PML-N chief in Lahore.
Meanwhile, President Pervez Musharraf has said he will not step down and would continue to play his constitutional role as president "to strengthen democracy in the country". Dawn News reported on Wednesday.
According to the channel. Musharraf told senior journalists and columnists at the presidential Camp Office in Rawalpindi however that there was a provision for impeaching the president in the constitution and the parliament had a right to make use of it. He said he was a democrat and worked for democracy even when he was in uniform, and defended his November 3,2007 proclamation of emergency rule.