Lahore, June 10: PPP Senior Vice-Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim has reportedly said that his party’s popularity had declined following the deviation from the Murree Declaration, reached out between the PPP and PML-N after the February 18 polls, in which the two parties agreed on the framework of a governing coalition.

It included restoration of judiciary, sacked by President Pervez Musharraf on Nov 3, 2007, to the position as they were on November 2, 2007, within 30 days of the formation of the federal government through a parliamentary resolution.

Though the PML-N has been demanding restoration of judiciary ever since the coalition was formed, the PPP has repeatedly shown its reluctance in doing the same through a parliamentary resolution. Lately, the party has chalked out a draft Constitutional package which talks about restoration of judges through constitutional amendments.

Fahim, who commands wide respect from his party men across the country, had emerged as the frontrunner for the Prime Minister’s post after the February 18 polls, but eventually PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari chose Yousuf Raza Gilani to assume the post.

Fahim further said that the credit for holding general elections, doffing of Musharraf’s uniform and revival of democracy in the country went to Benazir, as it was her “prudence and statesmanship” that had made this possible.

He said these demands were contained in a list prepared by Benazir Bhutto, who asked him to convey the same to President Pervez Musharraf.

“She asked me to get them accepted by Musharraf or give him a deadline for the end of negotiations in case he does not accept the demands,” he said, adding that he had held a meeting with Musharraf and three presidential aides in this regard.

Fahim said that he had discussed all the demands with Musharraf during the meeting, including removing his army uniform and holding general elections. (ANI)