He said the main stumbling block is the status of judges who took oath under PCO and both sides are committed to their stance. Shahbaz Sharif said that it was the decision of PPP not to include Rehman Malik in the talks. He said the ball is in PPP court with regard to the restoration of judges. To a question, he said it is premature to comment whether the two leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif could meet in future.
Meanwhile, PML-N leader and Federal Minister for Petroleum Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that the deadline of May 12 will not be extended and no talk will take place between Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. He said Mian Nawaz Sharif and other PML-N leaders will return to Pakistan on Sunday.
MONITORING DESK ADDS: Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik, Hussain Haqani and Khawaja Asif held a meeting with PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in London on the issue of judges' restoration, Aaj TV reported. Malik, Haqqani and Asif came to meet Zardari with their recommendations finalised after their meeting which lasted for more than two and half hours. On the occasion, Rehman Malik said the talks are progressing in the right direction.
A meeting is also expected between Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif provided the negotiations among Rehman Malik, Hussain Haqani and Khawaja Asif produced positive results. US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Richard Boucher is expected to arrive in London on Sunday (today), a private TV channel reported on Saturday. According to the TV channel, Boucher will hold meeting with PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.