No help will be extended to Musharraf, says Gilani

Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani "gave his word"  on Sunday to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz that his government will not extend any help to former president Pervez Musharraf to defend himself in any court of law as they agreed to bridge the "trust deficit" created by President Asif Ali Zardari's failure to deliver on promises made to the opposition party.

During a meeting in Lahore with PML-N president and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Gilani "gave his word" that the ruling Pakistan People's Party will neither stand by nor provide any help to Musharraf in defending himself in the Supreme Court, sources said. Last week, the apex court issued a notice to Musharraf, asking him to explain his decision to impose emergency in November 2007 and to sack over 60 members of the superior judiciary who did not endorse the measure. The matter will come up court again on July 29 and Musharraf, who is currently in London, has formed a legal team to represent him.

Both leaders also agreed to establish more contacts between their parties to bridge the "trust deficit" created by President Asif Ali Zaradari's failure to deliver on promisesmade to the PML-N. Gilani and Sharif also agreed that the PPP and PML-N will cooperate in restoring the constitution of 1973 by scrapping the 17th amendment, which gives the President sweeping powers.