The stalemate over the restoration of the judiciary continued even though the leaders of the coalition government reportedly met in London on May 9 to resolve the issue1. Soon after the meeting, Nawaz Sharif asserted that if the Bhurban Declaration on reinstating the judiciary was not abided, his party would withdraw support to the government2. Earlier, a legal committee comprising of members of both the PPP and the PML-N finalized a draft resolution on reinstatement of judges in Islamabad on May 73. Reports indicated that due to the current impasse over the issue, the May 12 deadline was not likely to be met.

Prime Minister Gillani meanwhile stated that the nature of the working relationship with the Presidency would be decided by the Parliament in accordance with the constitutional norms4. The newly-elected senators on their part called for a change in Pakistan’s pro-US policy, which they termed was a legacy of the preceding military government5. Their call interestingly coincided with reports noting the Pentagon’s decision to block aid to Pakistan for allegedly not using US funds optimally6.

In developments in FATA, the government sought support from the tribal Jirga to negotiate the peace process. Accordingly, talks with the Taliban leader Baitulla Mehsud were held by the Jirga in Peshawar on May 87. Troops from the South Waziristan Agency (SWA) were also withdrawn to facilitate the peace making process8.

• 1. “PPP, PML-N leaders in London to put their heads together; Pirzada says he is yet to receive resolution draft,” The News, May 9, 2008, at http://thenews.jang.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=14574
• 2. M. Ziauddin, “Impasse threatens to break up coalition: Nawaz disappointed as last-ditch efforts being made,” Dawn, May 11, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/05/11/top1.htm
• 3. Nasir Iqbal, “BACK TO SQUARE ONE: Breakthrough claimed, but ball again in court of Asif, Nawaz,” Dawn, May 8, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/05/08/top1.htm
• 4. “Working ties with president to be decided by parliament,” Dawn, May 5, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/05/05/top4.htm
• 5. “Raja Asghar, “Call in Senate for change in pro-US foreign policy,” Dawn, May 9, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/05/09/top2.htm
• 6. “Pentagon blocks Pak request for military aid,” The News, May 8, 2008, at http://thenews.jang.com.pk/arc_default.asp
• 7. Syed Irfan Raza, “Jirga help sought to restore Fata peace,” Dawn, May 6, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/05/06/top7.htm
• 8. Mushtaq Yusufzai, “Troops pulled out of SWA,” The News, May 9, 2008, at http://thenews.jang.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=14576