|
Islamabad: Pakistan's main ruling party courted the support yesterday of estranged junior partner Nawaz Sharif for a set of constitutional reforms designed to strip the powers of President Pervez Musharraf.
Asif Ali Zardari, head of the Pakistan Peoples Party, met with Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, for the first time since Sharif pulled his party's ministers from the Cabinet of the coalition government earlier this month.
The two parties have been at odds over exactly how to restore dozens of judges whom Musharraf ousted last year, but they both consider the president an arch-rival with outsized powers.
Zardari's party last week unveiled some details of a constitutional package that it wants parliament to approve that would end Musharraf's right to dissolve parliament and appoint military chiefs. The proposed reforms would also pave the way for the ousted judges to return.
'Salient' points
After yesterday's meeting, members of Sharif's party said Zardari had shared some "salient" points of the package with the ex-prime minister, but that they would formally respond to the proposals when they see a full draft.
Still, the officials indicated that restoring the judges was their top priority.
"We want to undo this unconstitutional step of the judges' removal as soon as possible," said Ahsan Iqbal, a senior Sharif party member.
Musharraf, who ousted Sharif's government in a 1999 military coup, purged the benches and declared emergency rule in November to avoid legal challenges to his US-backed presidency. Sharif and Zardari's parties defeated Musharraf's allies in February elections.
Sharif has argued that the prime minister can restore the justices through a simple order.
But Zardari has insisted that the law or constitution be changed first to ensure that Musharraf cannot block it with aid from judges installed since the purge.
Sharif also has demanded that Musharraf resign or be impeached. But Zardari has taken a softer tone and pushed for legal means to make the presidency more ceremonial.
Asked about impeaching Musharraf, a Zardari party member who attended the meeting left the option open, saying it would depend on "whatever the people of Pakistan will want".
"Our foremost objective is that through the constitutional package all powers that have been snatched from the parliament, they have to be taken back," Farzana Raja said.
Intelligence sharing: PM seeks American help
Pakistan's prime minister has urged the United States to share more intelligence in the fight against terrorism.
A statement from Yousuf Raza Gilani's office said he made the comments yesterday in separate meetings with visiting US senators and congressmen. Gilani said Pakistan "values its strategic relationship" with the US and "stressed the need for more intelligence sharing" between the two countries.
Washington is concerned about efforts by Gilani's recently elected government to reach peace deals with militant groups.
US officials warn the approach could let militants regroup and intensify attacks inside neighbouring Afghanistan, where thousands of American troops are based.
|
