July 25, 2008	Friday	Rajab 21, 1429

LAHORE, July 24: There is no immediate possibility of the PML-N parting ways with the PPP on judges’ issue as the former is ready to wait for its resolution till December.

“We hope the judges’ issue will be solved by August end though the party is ready to wait till December for the purpose,” a senior PML-N official told Dawn here on Thursday.

December, he said, could be decisive month with regard to the future of ruling alliance if the judiciary’s issue remained unresolved by then.

He would not comment when asked if the PML-N had accepted the ‘ground reality’ that any action against President Musharraf or his acts was possible only after American presidential vote.

He admitted the judges’ issue was affecting the PML-N government’s working in Punjab like the PPP was feeling the pinch in the federal setup.

“A comprehensive package on reforming the local government system, police and anti-corruption departments, etc. has been prepared by the Punjab government in two months through a working group established under a senior provincial minister. But, the implementation of the same depends on whether the provincial government stays in power for at least a couple of years to complete the project.”

Asked if it meant the PML-N feared that lack of simple majority in the Punjab Assembly could jeopardise its government in the province in case of any eventuality like disbanding of the coalition.

The official said: “No.”

According to him, the party could not be defeated in the number game in the province and confirmed reports that besides other options some PML-Q forward bloc members were also being persuaded to resign and get re-elected on PML-N tickets.

The process, he said, would be completed in phases.

He apprehended that governor’s rule might be an option for President Musharraf to oust the PML-N government. But that would also mean end of Musharraf era, he warned.

The party needs support of at least 186 MPAs to sustain its government in Punjab but presently it has 179 MPAs.