Date:26/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/26/stories/2008082657170100.htm

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Sharif’s party pulls out of coalition

Nirupama Subramanian

Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League (N) on Monday finally parted ways with Pakistan’s ruling coalition, citing Pakistan People’s Party leader Asif Ali Zardari’s failure to keep his promise on restoring the judges dismissed by the former President, Pervez Musharraf.

The decision does not pose a threat to the survival of the PPP-led government, as it continues to hold a majority in the National Assembly, the elected lower House of Parliament, with the help of other allies.

All eyes are now on the contest between the PPP and the PML(N) in the September 6 presidential election.

The PML(N) has decided to field Saeed-uz-zaman Siddiqui, a respected former Chief Justice, against Mr. Zardari.

PML(N) leader Nawaz Sharif announced the decision to pull out from the coalition at a press conference here after a lengthy meeting of the party’s central executive committee.

“With great regret, and as there is not a single ray of hope [that the PPP wants to restore the judges], we have decided to withdraw from the coalition. Rather, it would be more appropriate to say that we were forced to leave,” Mr. Sharif said.