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Nawaz, Zardari talks inconclusive

ISLAMABAD: Leaders of Pakistan’s ruling coalition agreed on Tuesday to continue their talks on the issue of restoring judges fired by President Pervez Musharraf.

Farhatullah Babar, a spokesman for Pakistan’s ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), said their party chief, Asif Ali Zardari, met the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, at his Islamabad residence and the two leaders “would again meet on Wednesday.” He provided no details about the six hours of talks on Tuesday.

Mr. Sharif has said he would press Mr. Zardari for the reinstatement of judges fired last year by retired General Musharraf, which was a condition of his party joining the coalition after February elections that installed Pakistan’s first civilian-led government in eight years.

Mr. Sharif’s spokesman, Sadiqul Farooq, described the meeting as crucial for the future of the alliance. The stand-off between the coalition partners has hampered the functioning of the government amid mounting economic problems and Islamic militancy. Mr. Sharif pulled his ministers from the Cabinet in May, but said his party still supports the coalition. Mr. Zardari initially agreed to restore the judges but stalled, later, saying the step should be part of a broader set of constitutional reforms.

Mr. Sharif also wants to seek the impeachment of General Musharraf, who ousted him in a 1999 coup. Mr. Zardari appears more reticent at confronting the President. “We want to continue this cooperation, but for that, all the promises need to be fulfilled and the dictator who has played havoc with this country should meet his logical end,” said Mr. on Monday.

Frustration with the government has been growing amid perceptions that internal wrangling has prevented it from coming to grips with pressing national problems. Inflation is running at more than 20 per cent, and high fuel and food prices are hitting ordinary citizens hard. Western governments, meanwhile, are concerned that the administration’s efforts to negotiate peace with tribes and militants in the volatile northwest has given Taliban and Al-Qaeda more freedom to operate. — AP

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