Pakistan coalition fails to break judges deadlock

By Zeeshan Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's ruling alliance failed to break the deadlock on reinstating judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf during talks in London on Friday, rekindling speculation the month-old coalition might collapse.

The restoration of the judges has been the top issue for the coalition, led by the party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto since its inception.

Musharraf dismissed around 60 judges after imposing a six-week emergency rule in November to try to pre-empt a ruling against his re-election in October while still army chief. It remains a possibility that if reinstated, the judges could revive the case against his re-election.

Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower and her political successor, held talks with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the second major partner in the coalition, for several hours in London to try to bridge their differences over the issue.

But Sharif, who is in London for medical treatment for his wife, said they failed reach agreement.

"Basically there are certain points where there have been differences. We haven't been able to resolve them yet," Sharif told reporters in comments aired on Pakistani television.

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.

Asked what he planned to do next, Sharif said: "I'm going back to Pakistan tomorrow and then I will speak ... we will wait until May 12."