Following two days of talks with Zardari in Dubai, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif on Friday announced in Lahore that the deposed judges will be restored through a parliamentary resolution on May 12. However, Zardari told Aaj TV channel that a committee of legal experts set up to finalise the resolution for the judges would decide the matter “as soon as possible”.

Evading a direct reply to a question whether the judges will be restored on the date set by Sharif, he said: “Ask the question about reinstatement of the judges on May 12 with the committee. It will try and resolve it as soon as possible.”

The PPP’s co-chairman’s comments were in line with a statement by Law Minister Farooq Naek, who said there was no cause for worry if the May 12 deadline passed because of lack of consensus among all the stakeholders.

Naek said the deposed judges may not necessarily be restored by May 12.

The committee of legal experts, of which Naek is the convenor, will decide whether an executive order or a new legislation will follow the parliamentary resolution to reinstate the judges, he said. But Naek also said the committee might not reach a consensus by May 12 and would forward the matter to Zardari and Sharif if it did not reach a decision.

Zardari said that providing food and shelter to the people were more important issues than the judges’ reinstatement. “We are committed to the Murree Declaration and want a solution that would disturb none of the judges. If we are firm on our objectives no conspiracy could succeed against us,” he said, referring to the agreement signed by the PPP and PML-N in March on restoring the judges.
Zardari’s comments have caused consternation in political circle.