Sharif's party to quit Pak cabinet today
Pakistan's ruling coalition leader and former premier Nawaz Sharif (L) and his brother Shahbaz Sharif wave to supporters upon their arrival in Islamabad yesterday from London. Photo: AFP
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said ministers from his party will resign from their posts today over differences regarding the reinstatement of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf.
"Our ministers will submit their resignations to the prime minister tomorrow," Sharif told a news conference after a crucial meeting of his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) here Monday.
However, he said his party would not take any decision that would strengthen what he called a "dictatorship" under Musharraf.
"We will not be part of any conspiracy aimed at strengthening dictatorships," he said.
"We want the unconditional, dignified and honourable return of the judges," he said, adding that his party would not destabilise the government. "We will not sit on opposition benches for the time being."
PML-N had nine ministers in the 24-member federal cabinet, formed six weeks ago.
The decision was taken here at a meeting of the parliamentary party and the central working committee of the PML-N chaired by Sharif.
The former premier called the meeting after negotiations in London with Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of the Pakistan People's Party, failed to bridge their differences over the restoration of some 60 judges.
Sharif expressed disappointment after the weekend talks with Zardari failed to resolve the deadlock.
He said he made sincere efforts but the deadlock could not be broken.
The two parties formed an alliance after defeating allies of Musharraf in February 18 elections.
Sharif had given a May 12 deadline for reinstatement of the judges fired by Musharraf under emergency rule in November.
It remained unclear if the rift could break up the government or force fresh elections. That would be a serious setback to Pakistan's transition to democracy after eight years of military rule under Musharraf. The new government came to power just six weeks ago.
A coalition break-up could throw a political lifeline to the embattled president, who has taken a back seat in the day-to-day running of Pakistan since the new government took office.
Both parties still appear reluctant to sever ties. Although Sharif's party has threatened to quit the Cabinet a move that would distance it from the decisions of the government it has hinted it would still support the government rather than join the opposition.
Both sides have called for a restoration of dozens of judges axed by Musharraf when he declared a state of emergency in November to forestall a Supreme Court ruling on his eligibility for office. But they have disagreed on exactly how to do it and weekend negotiations in London did not produce a deal.
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