New Delhi: President Musharraf's spokesman on Friday denied media reports that he was ready to reinstate the deposed judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary. Spokesman Maj Gen (retired) Rashid Qureshi said there was “no question” of reinstating.
Chaudhary and several other deposed judges were hearing petitions challenging Musharraf's re-election in uniform when the President proclaimed emergency last year and sacked them.
The new Supreme Court comprising Musharraf’s handpicked judges, who also validated his re-election, later dismissed the cases.
Earlier local media reports said Musharraf conveyed a message to PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari saying he would allow the judges to be reinstated. But Qureshi denied that any such message had been sent to the PPP on behalf of the President. "The President's position is very clear — he would not restore the judges," Qureshi said.
According to media reports, the message also said Musharraf would appoint service chiefs and give up his powers to dissolve Parliament on the condition that he should not be impeached.
However, Qureshi's denial appeared to scotch speculation of Musharraf reaching out to his adversaries.
“The President is ‘neutral’ in the prevailing political situation and had not sent his close aides to any party for a ‘power-sharing deal,’” the spokesman said.
PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, whose party is set to form government with the PPP, has been insisting on Musharraf's resignation following the defeat of the President's supporters in the polls.
Musharraf has, however, ruled out the possibility of stepping down. Qureshi denied all media reports saying Musharraf was considering resigning.
(With agency inputs)
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