Lahore, July 24 : PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly refused to reinstate the sacked chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, apparently due to the fear that the latter, if reinstated, might reopen for adjudication cases on the National Reconciliation Order and President Pervez Musharraf’s eligibility to contest for office.

During a meeting of leaders of the ruling coalition in Lahore last evening, Zardari repeatedly insisted on not reinstating Chaudhry, reported the Daily Times.

According to the paper, “Zardari fears that the sacked CJ could pose a threat to the current government”.

It said that Zardari wanted a guarantee for Chaudhry not reviving either issue upon restoration.

The report also said that close aides of the PPP co-chairman have assured him that SC Bar Association President Aitzaz Ahsan could make such a guarantee, but Zardari, however, was not ready to trust him. (ANI)