Sharif to Benazir: Set cut-off date for judges restoration

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has appealed to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson, Benazir Bhutto, to set a cut-off date for the restoration of deposed judges.

Lahore, Oct 8 : Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has appealed to the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairperson, Benazir Bhutto, to set a cut-off date for the restoration of deposed judges.

Admitting that the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) and the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) could not conclude the final charter of demands, Sharif said: "We have differences of opinion over the restoration of judges and giving a deadline to the government to meet the charter of demands."

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) wants to set a deadline for the restoration of the pre-November 3 judiciary before the elections, whereas the PPP wants to hold off on this until after the elections, leaving the matter to the new parliament, Sharif told reporters before meeting with ambassadors of France, Spain and Sweden at his residence in Lahore.

Sharif also urged the European Union and the international community to play a pivotal role in ensuring free and fair elections that are scheduled for January 8 next year.

"The European Union and international community should play its role in ensuring fair elections in Pakistan," the Daily Times quoted Sharif as, telling the ambassadors.

The ambassadors said that the international community, including the European Union, wanted the government to hold fair elections and provide a level playing field to opposition parties.

ANI