Lahore, Mar. 15 : Despite national and international pressure to put an end to the ongoing political turmoil in the country, President Asif Ali Zardari is firm about not reinstating sacked Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

During a meeting with senior Pakistan People’s Party leaders, Zardari said he was ready to accept all demands of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) but that of reinstating Iftikhar Chaudhry as the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Lahore, Mar. 15 : With resignation of two key members from the Pakistan cabinet, and the pass up of several unpopular decisions, cracks have begun to appear within the ruling Pakistan People’s Party.

Among the controversial decisions are the imposition of governor’s rule in Punjab, the appointment of ‘blue-eyed’ figures to key slots, the cornering of close aides of Benazir Bhutto, the use of force against political workers and the media. This has perturbed a majority of PPP members, The News reports.

Lahore, Mar. 15 : Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif was placed under house arrest at his Model Town residence on Sunday.

Restrictions on Sharif’s movement in and around the country were imposed a day before a planned “Long March” by politicians and lawyers’ into Islamabad from various parts of the country.

The Pakistan capital was under a state of high alert ahead of the march, and the government has asked the Army to remain on stand by.

Lahore, Mar. 14 : The US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Admiral Michael Mullen has rebuked the notion that Pakistan is headed for another bout of military rule, but accepted that the Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani is in a `tight spot' amidst the on-going political pandemonium in the country.

Mullen said that he had talks with the Pak army chief several times in the recent past, and Kayani has assured him that he is committed to a civilian government in the country.

Lahore, Mar. 14 : The Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) has put in place several plans to avoid arrests of its leaders, and foil any attempt by the government to clamp down on the protest march participants.

According to sources, the party leaders held a meeting at an undisclosed location to discuss its strategy and future course of action, and to thwart the highhandedness of the Zardari administration.

Lahore, Mar. 14: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif has opened the door for reconciliation with President Asif Ali Zardari, by saying that he was ready to give Zardari “the next five years if he delivers on his pledges”.

“There is no need for back channel diplomacy or private and secret dialogue. I have not slammed my doors on dialogue. If Zardari showed sincerity, I am ready to give him another five years (after his tenure expires),” The Daily times quoted Sharif, as saying.