Rawalpindi, Mar 13 : PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has asked Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to play his role and convince President Asif Ali Zardari to defuse the prevailing tension by restoring the pre-November 3 judiciary.

Sharif said that if the Prime Minister wished, he could restore the pre-November 3 judiciary, Geo News reported.

"The nation and the opposition would support the Prime Minister whatever steps he takes for restoration of the judges," he said, adding that now its time that Gilani should play his role.

Sharif said the premier should take a clear-cut decision before the long march in the best interests of the nation, The News reported.

He said Gilani is a sincere man and there is no doubt about his intentions. "Although He does not have all the powers, he has the power to restore the deposed judges and sack the PCO judges," Sharif added.

He said that if Zardari was not ready to take this decision due to his personal agenda, the Prime Minister should do it now, and he should not worry about his premiership as "we are with him."

The PML-N chief said the PPP could not have formed the government in the Centre without the PML-N support. Sharif was of the view that if the prime minister acted now, many PPP members would also stand by him, saying that President Zardari should be reminded of his promises to the nation.

He said if the president refused to accept Gilani''''s advice, then he should bring the matter to the Parliament, adding that Gilani should not delay it, as it was a historical moment for him.

About Gilani's stance on Governor's rule in Punjab, he said, "We respect the sentiments of the prime minister and before governor''''s rule the premier had assured Shahbaz during a meeting that they would not destabilise PML-N government in Punjab.

The two-time former prime minister alleged that people of bad character were being appointed as judges, and he gave an example of the recent appointment of the Islamabad High Court chief justice. (ANI)