Former
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has quit the country's ruling coalition
because of differences about the judiciary and the presidency.
Mr. Sharif announced at a news conference in Islamabad (Monday) that his
Pakistan Muslim League (N) is joining the opposition because the Pakistan
People's Party broke its pledge to restore judges fired by former President
Pervez Musharraf.
Mr. Sharif also said the PPP violated an agreement to nominate a non-partisan
presidential candidate if the presidency retained certain far-reaching powers,
including the ability to dismiss parliament.
The PPP has nominated its leader, Asif Ali Zardari, to run for president in
next month's elections.
Mr. Sharif said today that his party is nominating retired judge Said-uz Zaman
Siddiqui to run against Zardari.