June 13, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 08, 1429

KARACHI, June 12: Co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari has said the government is committed to pursuing the ‘roadmap’ of strengthening democracy and the judiciary. However, he said the PPP’s approach in reinstating the deposed judges was “a little different”.

The PPP chief was speaking to media personnel at the Karachi Press Club during an unscheduled visit on Thursday. Mr Zardari condemned the recent bombing of Pakistani territory by US-led forces and termed it against international norms and principles. “Pakistan has its sovereign rights and has every right to protect itself,” he remarked.

He had gone to the press club straight from the Chief Minister’s House after presiding over a special session of the coalition partners in the Sindh cabinet.

In reply to questions from journalists, Mr Zardari said: “We have taken political decisions and our partnership will continue in Sindh and all over Pakistan. I, Altaf Bhai and Asfandyar Wali Sahib have decided that we are together and will remain together,” he said. “Karachi is our city; we will undertake those projects that were never initiated before.”

Referring to cooperation with the Pakistan Muslim League-N, Mr Zardari said Nawaz Sharif had told him in the very beginning that he could part ways with the PPP if the judiciary issue was not resolved. “We already agreed to disagree, but this does not mean that they have left us.”