ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pulled his party from the Cabinet yesterday, raising doubts over the new government's stability and Pakistan's transition to democracy after eight years of military rule.
The ruling coalition that came to power after February elections – dealing a crushing defeat to allies of President Pervez Musharraf – could now flounder. Its two key partners cannot agree over how to restore senior judges removed by the former military strongman late last year.
Sharif said his group would still support the government led by the party of Asif Ali Zardari on an “issue by issue” basis, but Sharif indicated that he would join protests by lawyers lobbying for the restoration of the judges.
A permanent split in the coalition would help Musharraf, a longtime ally in the U.S.-led war on terror.
Also, the 53-nation Commonwealth, composed mainly of Britain and its former colonies, cited Pakistan's progress in restoring democracy in lifting the country's suspension from the group, imposed after Musharraf instituted emergency rule in November.
