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| Pakistan parties seek judges deal | Pakistan parties seek judges deal |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The leaders of Pakistan's governing coalition have been holding talks in Dubai on their pledge to restore judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf. | The leaders of Pakistan's governing coalition have been holding talks in Dubai on their pledge to restore judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf. |
| No details have yet emerged about the discussions between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and the PPP's Asif Zardari, but they are expected to meet again later. | No details have yet emerged about the discussions between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and the PPP's Asif Zardari, but they are expected to meet again later. |
| After winning the recent parliamentary elections, both parties agreed to restore the judges by the end of April. | After winning the recent parliamentary elections, both parties agreed to restore the judges by the end of April. |
| Failure to resolve differences over the issue has put strain on the coalition. | Failure to resolve differences over the issue has put strain on the coalition. |
| The coalition talks have been taking place at a hotel in Dubai, where Mr Zardari lived for many years with his wife, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in December. | |
| Before flying there, Mr Sharif said he wanted the coalition to stay together, but warned of "disastrous consequences for democracy and Pakistan" if the judges were not restored as promised. | Before flying there, Mr Sharif said he wanted the coalition to stay together, but warned of "disastrous consequences for democracy and Pakistan" if the judges were not restored as promised. |
| He has insisted that judges who replaced those sacked last year should lose their jobs, because they had acted unlawfully in upholding Gen Pervez Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule in November. | |
| SACKED JUDGES March 2007: President Musharraf suspends Supreme Court chief justice, triggering protests6 Oct 2007: President Musharraf wins election3 Nov 2007: President declares state of emergency and sacks around 60 judges22 Nov 2007: New Supreme Court upholds Musharraf election win18 Feb 2008: New coalition government of PPP and PML-N emerge victorious in parliamentary polls30 April 2008: Deadline set by two parties to reinstate sacked judges Q&A: Pakistan's judges | SACKED JUDGES March 2007: President Musharraf suspends Supreme Court chief justice, triggering protests6 Oct 2007: President Musharraf wins election3 Nov 2007: President declares state of emergency and sacks around 60 judges22 Nov 2007: New Supreme Court upholds Musharraf election win18 Feb 2008: New coalition government of PPP and PML-N emerge victorious in parliamentary polls30 April 2008: Deadline set by two parties to reinstate sacked judges Q&A: Pakistan's judges |
| He suggested that the old judges' re-instatement should to be kept separate from constitutional reforms proposed by the PPP that include plans for the judiciary, but he said he would be "happy to discuss the package". | He suggested that the old judges' re-instatement should to be kept separate from constitutional reforms proposed by the PPP that include plans for the judiciary, but he said he would be "happy to discuss the package". |
| Mr Zardari has argued that constitutional amendments are needed to prevent the judicial abuses that have occurred in the past. | Mr Zardari has argued that constitutional amendments are needed to prevent the judicial abuses that have occurred in the past. |
| These would limit the tenure and powers of the chief justice and prevent judges from getting involved in politics. | These would limit the tenure and powers of the chief justice and prevent judges from getting involved in politics. |
| However, coalition insiders say Mr Zardari is also worried that, if restored, the judges could undo an amnesty deal that cleared him of corruption charges. | However, coalition insiders say Mr Zardari is also worried that, if restored, the judges could undo an amnesty deal that cleared him of corruption charges. |
| On Tuesday, Information Minister Sherry Rehman of the PPP said that restoring the judges required legislation that "needs some time". | On Tuesday, Information Minister Sherry Rehman of the PPP said that restoring the judges required legislation that "needs some time". |
| "I don't think in this situation the coalition is threatened," she said. | "I don't think in this situation the coalition is threatened," she said. |
| The judges, including the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Chaudhry, were sacked after Mr Musharraf declared the state of emergency. | The judges, including the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Chaudhry, were sacked after Mr Musharraf declared the state of emergency. |
| At the time, the Supreme Court was preparing to rule on whether his re-election earlier that year was legal. | At the time, the Supreme Court was preparing to rule on whether his re-election earlier that year was legal. |
| They were also due to rule on whether an amnesty the president granted Ms Bhutto and Mr Zardari in a number of corruption cases was legal. | They were also due to rule on whether an amnesty the president granted Ms Bhutto and Mr Zardari in a number of corruption cases was legal. |
| Are you in Pakistan? What is your reaction to the current political situation? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: | Are you in Pakistan? What is your reaction to the current political situation? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: |