PML-N parts ways with ruling coalition :

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has formally announced to part ways with the ruling coalition led by Pakistan Peoples Party and named Justice (R) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui as presidential candidate of the party. Flanked by Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Justice (Retd.) Justice (R) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Raja Zafar-ul-Haq and other PML-N leaders, Sharif made the announcement while addressing a jam-packed news conference here on Monday.

“After thorough deliberations and keeping all the recent developments into view the party (PML-N) has decided to split with the ruling coalition,” PML-N Chief announced after expressing his frustration on the way “PPP disillusioned” him and his party mainly on the judges issue.PML-N Chief also showed the copy of the agreement made with the PPP outlining the steps regarding the impeachment of the president and restoration of the judges.He said while in exile he and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had many meetings outside the country and agreed on establishing democracy and putting an end to dictatorship in Pakistan. He said a number of agreements were made on various matters between the two leaders which were later given a name of Charter of Democracy. Agreements were also made in Murree to maintain and continue this cooperation, he added.

“We assured Asif Zardari of support without even receiving any ministry but he forced us into getting ministries and our ministers took oath of their office from the (then) president Musharraf despite having reservations,” Nawaz Sharif maintained.He said under the agreement reached between PPP and PML-N, the judges were to be restored after impeachment or resignation of former president Pervez Musharraf. The judges have not yet been reinstated despite president Musharraf’s resignation on August 18.“Facing severe internal and external pressure, I wrote a detailed letter to Co-chairman PPP Asif Ali Zardari and allowed him time to ensure implementation on the agreements,” Nawaz said. “But Zardari in an interview said agreements are not Holy Qur’an or Hadith which cannot be changed”.