The crucial talks between the top leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition ended inconclusively on Friday, with Pakistan People's Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari seeking more time from his ally Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif, to consider the modalities for reinstatement of the deposed judges.
Speaking to reporters after the talks, Sharif said that his party remained committed to the restoration of the judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf, by May 12.
"Zardari has sought more time from me to consider various aspects of the issue," he said.
Sharif admitted that the talks have ended inconclusively.
He said the judges who were sacked by Musharaf last year should be restored with dignity and without any conditions so that they could discharge their responsibilities without any hindrance.
The PML-N leader said he was returning to Lahore and further discussions could be held there if necessary.
The judges who were sworn in during last year's emergency could be retained only on an ad-hoc basis and their fate could be decided by the deposed judges, following their reinstatement, Sharif said.
However, Zardari has said his Pakistan People's Party wants the judges who had sworn allegiance to Musharraf to be retained along with the deposed judges.
"We want this coalition to remain intact," Sharif said. Zardari did not talk to the media.
The two leaders had earlier held inconclusive talks in Dubai over the vexed issue.