May 20, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1429

LAHORE, May 19: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Monday flinched from extending an unqualified support for the constitutional package the People’s Party intended to table in the National Assembly for the reinstatement of judges.

A spokesman said the PPP had not taken PML-N into confidence about the package.

“Let that situation come first and then we’ll take an appropriate decision,” Siddiqul Farooq said.

However, the spokesman said his party would be willing to give constitutional protection to the National Reconciliation Ordinance if the PPP agreed to restoring the constitution to its pre-Oct 12, 1999, position.

Talking to Dawn, Siddiqul Farooq said there was no need for further talks between the two parties and PML-N would like PPP to take measures to “honour its commitment” about bringing the sacked judges back to their jobs.

However, he added, he wouldn’t rule out a meeting between the party chiefs, Mian Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari.

In reply to a question, he said if the ruling coalition decided to reinstate the judges through a constitutional amendment, it would amount to recognising the “unconstitutional steps” taken by President Pervez Musharraf on Nov 3.