Pakistan

Nine ministers resign in judges row

Article published on the 2008-05-13 Latest update 2008-05-14 09:52 TU

Nawaz Sharif
(Photo: Reuters)

Pakistan faces a new crisis as nine ministers from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party tendered their resignations. They were demanding details concerning the reinstatement of 60 judges who were sacked by President Pervez Musharraf in November. More than a third of the ministers stepped down today but Sharif reiterated that he will continue to support the Gilani government.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has yet to accept the resignations. The PML-N will return to the government only if the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto takes concrete steps to resolve the issue.

At the Friday Times weekly in Lahore senior editor Najam Sethi says that Pakistan is sliding back into instability. As pressure outside Parliament and on the street increases, Sharif could be pushed to do more to reinstate the judges, Sethi said.

"I think it is not going to be smooth sailing, although there may not be a rupture," he said.

Gilani called for "some flexibility" to prevent political upheaval, according to the national media.

Information Minister Sherry Rehman said in a statement that the only disagreement between the government and the PML-N over restoring the judiciary is the method of reinstating them.

She added that the nine cabinet posts left vacant by PML-N members will not be filled.