The Hindu : Front Page : Pakistan plunges into political uncertainty

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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Pakistan plunges into political uncertainty

Nirupama Subramanian

PML(N) pulls out of Cabinet

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was plunged into political uncertainty on Monday after the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, announced that his party was pulling out of the Federal Cabinet following differences with the Pakistan People’s Party over the reinstatement of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf last year.

Mr. Sharif said the Pakistan Muslim League (N) was driven to this decision by the ruling coalition’s failure to reinstate the judges as promised through a resolution in the National Assembly on May 12.

“Our Ministers will meet the Prime Minister tomorrow [Tuesday] and submit their resignations,” Mr. Sharif said, after three days of talks in London between him and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on the issue ended in a deadlock.

Indicating the difficulties in breaking away within just three months of the election that brought democratic political parties into office, the PML(N) leader said his party would remain in the ruling coalition and provide outside support to the government on an “issue to issue” basis.

The PPP dismissed speculation that the ruling coalition was coming apart.

In a statement, spokesman Farahtullah Babar said the ministries vacated by the PML(N) would not be filled, except for the Finance portfolio because the Ministry needed direction for the upcoming budget session of Parliament.

Mr. Babar said: “The course of dialogue will be pursued to resolve the issue amicably and in a spirit of accommodation and mutual trust.”

The PPP has also decided to stay on in the PML(N)-led Punjab government.

Describing the decision by the PML(N) as “only a pause in the process and not a break in the purpose of restoration of judges and strengthening the Parliament”, Mr. Babar said there was no disagreement on the reinstatement of the judges, but only on the modalities. However, the PPP appeared to be preparing for a possible break-up of the coalition by reaching out to the Pakistan Muslim League (Q).

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