CJ should give some time to parties for talks: Zardari

Welcoming Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial’s suggestion that political parties should settle the matter of elections through a process of dialogue, PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday sought some time from the top judge for this purpose.

“We also want elections on a single day through negotiations. We have even started discussions [on the matter] with each other a few days ago,” he added.

The former president of the country said once the ruling coalition reached a consensus, it would discuss the issue with the opposition.

The Jamaat-e-Islami too has hailed the CJP’s recommendation and like Zardari, it has sought more time from the Supreme Court for the negotiations between political stakeholders.

The party said under the leadership of its chief Sirajul Haq, the JI was making efforts to kick off the process of negotiations with sincerity.

The JI said it had already started discussions and contacts with other political parties for this purpose.

Earlier in the day, during the proceedings of the case related to the delay in polls, the attorney general for Pakistan said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had met the premier a day earlier and all ruling parties, except one of them, were willing to talk with the PTI.

He added that the matter could be hopefully resolved if the “court gave more time”.

CJP Bandial appreciated the AGP’s stance and said it had “some weight” and the court could “make some room” if all political parties were united in their stance.

“If the political parties come together, the court can make room for them and change the date of elections. If not, the elections will be conducted on May 14,” the CJP remarked.

However, he added that this matter should not be prolonged.

Also read: IHC extends stay in Zardari remarks case

The AGP reassured the apex court judges that all parties – including the JI -- wanted to solve problems through “political means”.

A day earlier, JI central leader Liaquat Baloch met PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at his residence in Lahore.

During the meeting, the JI leader requested the PML-Q chief to cooperate in reducing the ongoing political tensions in the country.

In the meeting, it was also agreed to hold elections across the country on the same day.

Shujaat said his party wanted to end the political crisis so that the country could move forward.

He maintained that it was for the first time that the institutions were in conflict with each other and these conditions were not suitable for the country.

PML-Q chief organiser Chaudhry Sarwar said elections should be held on the same day to end the current political crisis. He added that the economic situation of the country could not afford repeated elections.

Sarwar was of the view that the politicians should think of raising the living standards of the people.

On Saturday, JI chief Siraj called on PTI chairman and former premier Imran Khan at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore to convince him to negotiate with the government on the issue of elections.

Earlier on the same day, he had also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the matter.