KARACHI, May 2: While PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has set May 12 as a new deadline for reinstatement of the deposed judges through a parliamentary resolution, PPP supremo Asif Ali Zardari has said it is up to a legal committee to decide the matter “as soon as possible”.

“Ask the question about reinstatement of [deposed] judges on May 12 with the committee. It will try and resolve it as soon as possible,” he said while evading a direct reply to a question whether the judges would be restored on May 12.

The PPP co-chairman’s response was in line with an earlier statement of the federal law minister and convener of the legal committee, Farooq H. Naek, who said there was nothing to worry if the May 12 deadline passed because of a lack of consensus among all stakeholders.

Speaking at a programme of Aaj television, Mr Zardari said that Aitzaz Ahsan and Hafeez Peerzada had been included in the committee to find a solution to the judiciary impasse.

He said that reinstatement of deposed judges was a problem and a formula should be worked out in this regard. He, however, insisted that providing roti, kapra and makan to the people were more important issues.

Referring to the Murree Declaration, Mr Zardari said that it had been stated in it that no sitting judge would be disturbed.

“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.

“Our people were martyred…the lawyers’ movement was run by the PPP and it is our cause to make judiciary an institution,” he said, rejecting a notion that the PPP did not have much interest in the judges’ issue.

“We want to strengthen democracy and how can I accept a president above parliament,” Mr Zardari said. He also ruled out an alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Q.

Earlier, Law Minister Farooq H. Naek told Geo television that a session of the National Assembly would be convened on May 12 and a resolution for reinstating the deposed judges would be presented the same day.

He said that it was still undecided whether the judges would be restored through a parliamentary resolution or through a constitutional package.