ISLAMABAD, May 2: Chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Friday that PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif had not held any consultation with him before announcing the date for judges’ reinstatement.

Talking to a private television channel, the Maulana said it was a good sign that major coalition parties had pledged to take their smaller partners on board on the matter.

He said the announcement was based on consultations between the PPP and the PML-N but they had not contacted him or his party.

Principally, he said, the JUI-F was not against the reinstatement of the deposed judges but the party believed that the matter of strengthening institutions was more important than focusing on individuals.

The Maulana said that he would come up with a clear stand on the issue after consulting his party.

He said that it was a good sign that the main coalition partners had decided to discuss the issue in parliament, adding that if approached his party would give its opinion.

Terming the involvement of prominent legal experts to finalise a mechanism for reinstating the deposed judges a positive development, he said findings of experts and discussion by parliamentarians would make it easier for everyone to form an opinion. “But it would have been better if the major coalition partners had taken their allies into confidence before announcing the date for reinstating the (deposed) judges.” He said that smaller parties in the coalition were free to “support or oppose their coalition partners’ decision”.

“In parliament, the movers of the resolution would have to explain their point of view and we will keep our eyes open. We will support the move if we think it is appropriate, otherwise we will oppose it,” Fazal said.—APP