Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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August 25, 2008

Pakistani Party Leaving Ruling Coalition
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1DDCF08:A6F02AD83191E1601877F94A1C45CBF25C6F54A6CF9DC2CA&
 
Former PM Nawaz Sharif says he is joining opposition because Pakistan
People's Party did not agree to restore judges fired by former President
Pervez Musharraf 
      Former PM Nawaz Sharif gestures as he talks to the media after a
press conference in Islamabad, 22 Aug 2008Pakistan's former prime
minister, Nawaz Sharif, says he has pulled his party out of the ruling
coalition because of differences about the judiciary. Mr. Sharif of the
Pakistan Muslim League (N) announced at a news conference Monday that he
is joining the opposition because the Pakistan People's Party did not
agree to restore judges fired by former President Pervez Musharraf.
Analysts say PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari was reluctant to reinstate the
judges because of concerns they could re-open old corruption cases
against him as he prepares to run for president. Mr. Sharif said his
party will nominate its own candidate to compete against Zardari in next
month's election. The next president will replace Mr. Musharraf, who
stepped down last week to avoid impeachment charges. The PPP and PML-N
formed a coalition earlier this year after defeating Mr. Musharraf's
political allies in general elections. Mr. Musharraf lost public support
after he declared a state of emergency and fired several judges who
planned to rule on the legitimacy of his presidency. Some information
for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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