Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has been forced by Pakistani opposition figures and overseas petitions to re-instate sacked Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry
Reuters have reported:
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif welcomed a call for reconciliation from President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday, a week after the government averted a political crisis by restoring the country’s top judge.
While the reinstatement of Iftikhar Chaudhry as Supreme Court chief justice defused the crisis, tensions have lingered on expectations of a power struggle between pro-West Zardari and Sharif, starting with a battle for control of Punjab province.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani sought to allay those fears when he met with Sharif.
"The Prime Minister has given a message by President, which I think is welcomed," Sharif told a joint news conference with Gilani at the opposition leader’s residence outside the eastern city of Lahore.
"I think it is need of the time, it’s the need of Pakistan and in line with the aspiration of the people," Sharif said.
Zardari, elected by parliament six months ago, reluctantly reinstated Chaudhry after a mass protest organised by lawyers and led by Sharif, a politician who appeals to conservative religious, nationalist sentiments.
The army, the United States and Britain helped convince Zardari to compromise amid fears that violence would escalate.
Read the full story at http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-38643420090322
