LAHORE, April 8: Will the PML-N-led government in Punjab to be sworn in during the next few days be able to avoid contact with the "PCO judges" whose constitutional status is being consistently challenged by the party?

Some party sources say the contact with judges could not be avoided by a sitting government. However, they said, the party's principled stand on the position of the sitting judges would remain unchanged.

Rana Sanaullah Khan, who was being tipped as the law minister in the new setup, said on Tuesday though reluctantly the Punjab government would have to work with the "PCO judges" just like the federal ministers had had to take oath from President Musharraf despite the fact that they did not accept him as legitimate head of state.

He said the new government would work with the PCO judges just like the Muslims of the subcontinent had worked with the British Raj without compromising their stand on the freedom movement.

"The Muslims used to participate in the elections held under the British laws and still they succeeded in getting a separate homeland - Pakistan".

Rana said a decision on the status of the existing and deposed judges would be taken by the parliament and whatever verdict it gave would be acceptable to the entire nation.

Another leader, who did not like to be named, said the PML-N would be following the decision of the lawyers' community. He said since the lawyers were appearing before the existing courts - and they would continue to do so till the parliament came up with some decision - the PML-N would follow them. According to sources, Ashtar Ausaf Ali is likely to be appointed as new advocate general of Punjab.