Pakistan coalition fails to break judges deadlock

10/05/2008 16:50:47

The failure of Pakistan's ruling alliance to break the deadlock on reinstating judges has rekindled speculation that the month-old coalition might collapse.

The restoration of the judges dismissed by president Pervez Musharraf last november has been the top issue for the coalition, led by the Pakistan People's Party.

In talks in London the PPP's leader Asif Ali Zardari failed to bridge his differences over the issue with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, leader of the second major partner in the coalition, the Pakistan Muslim League (N).

Both leaders had signed a pact in March to reinstate the judges by April 30, but later extended the deadline to May 12 to save the coalition.

Mr Sharif's aides had previously said their ministers would quit the cabinet if the judges were not reinstated, but that they would continue to support the government from outside.

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