London: Despite a last-minute US mediation, the leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition have failed to reach a deal on restoring deposed judges, increasing the probability that ministers belonging to former premier Nawaz Sharif's party might quit the cabinet today.

Ahead of May 12 deadline set by PML-N to reinstate the judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf, US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher met PML-N chief Sharif and PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari here separately in a last- ditch attempt to bridge their differences on the vexed issue.

However, Sharif stuck to his gun that they were committed to restoration of the sacked judges by May 12.

Boucher was on his way back home from Dhaka. Sharif Left for Islamabad and will preside over a joint meeting of the party's central working committee and parliamentary party meeting on Monday morning.

PML-N sources said in all probability, members belonging to the party might quit the coalition ministry today but maintained that the alliance government would not fall.

Representatives of the two main ruling parties held parleys here through the weekend following similar talks in Dubai but a breakthrough on the issue eluded them even after several rounds of negotiations.

Husain Haqqani, one of the negotiators for the PPP, said "We are still trying to take this matter to a satisfactory conclusion."

Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of Nawaz Sharif who was involved in the talks, said both sides had made sincere efforts to come to an agreement.
Source : PTI