‘Betrayed’ Sharif pulls out of Govt

Pakistan’s fragile ruling coalition comes apart, with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s party pulling out over Asif Ali Zardari’s refusal to reinstate judges, reports Kamal Siddiqi.

Pakistan’s fragile ruling coalition came apart on Monday, with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s party pulling out over Asif Ali Zardari’s refusal to reinstate judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf.

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The PML (N) was no longer part of the ruling ministry, though it would continue to sit on the treasury benches “for the time being”, and would not work against the government, Sharif told a news conference in Islamabad.

“Promises have been broken,” Sharif said. “We had a single point agenda. We were not interested in ministries or any other concessions. We wanted the judges to be restored. Since this is not happening despite repeated talks and attempts to do so, we have no option but to withdraw from the government.”

His party would now support the government on an “issue to issue basis”, Sharif said. He accused the PPP of letting the PML (N) down despite its “patience and understanding”.