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Restoration of judges “soon”

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: The “modalities” on implementing the broad understanding reached between the former Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, and Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on a road map to reinstate the judges dismissed by President Pervez Musharraf were likely to be put in place in a few days, according to diplomatic sources.

Ticklish issue

The restoration of the former Chief Justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry had apparently become a ticklish issue. Analysts point out that with the PPP in a mood of reconciliation, there were apprehensions that Justice Chaudhry’s reinstatement could reopen the standoff with the retired General Musharraf. Justice Chaudhry was removed last year amid indications that the Pakistan Supreme Court might have declared General Mushrraf’s election to the Presidency unconstitutional.

Mr. Zardari has been inclined towards working out a constitutional package as the basis of broad judicial reforms in Pakistan. On the contrary, Mr. Sharif has insisted that the constitutional package and the restoration of judges should be de-linked. “We have been discussing that [constitutional package] is a separate issue. The restoration will take place through a resolution,” Mr. Sharif said.

Both parties have apparently agreed to the expansion of the Supreme Court with the reinstatement of the sacked judges without “disturbing” the new ones who had been subsequently appointed. Ms. Rehman also confirmed that the deposed judges would be reinstated and the current judges would also remain part of the Supreme Court.

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