Pakistan’s Government was plunged into crisis yesterday after Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister, withdrew his party from the ruling coalition in a row over the status of the country’s judges.

The five-month-old coalition split only days after scenes of celebration greeted the resignation of Pervez Musharraf as President. The move leaves the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), led by Asif Ali Zardari, as the main party of power.

Cracks in the already shaky alliance widened after Mr Zardari refused to give a timetable for the reinstatement of 60 judges, including the Chief Justice, who were dismissed during a state of emergency last November. Mr Sharif had set a deadline of yesterday for the judges to be reinstated.

Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif pledged to bring back the judges as soon as Mr Musharraf — who dismissed them to ensure that there would be no legal challenge to his reelection as President — had been driven out of office. Mr Zardari reneged on the agreement, however, saying that “no contract is binding in politics”.

Mr Sharif, head of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), told a press conference: “It was not possible for us to continue supporting the Government after Mr Zardari failed to honour his promise to restore the judges.” He added that his party would sit in opposition and continue its struggle for democracy and the independence of the judiciary, but vowed not to destabilise the Government.

The Muslim League selected Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui, a retired Supreme Court chief justice, to challenge Mr Zardari in the election on September 6. Mr Siddiqui was dismissed in January 2000 by Mr Musharraf after he refused to take an oath of allegiance to the military Government. The appearance of Mr Siddiqui gives an interesting twist to the race, which Mr Zardari, widower of the murdered politician Benazir Bhutto, seemed to have sewn up.

The break-up of the coalition does not immediately threaten the PPP’s hold on power but it has intensified the sense of political uncertainty in the country, which is a key US ally.

The PPP has enough parliamentary allies to do without the support of the party of Mr Sharif, but analysts said governing in the long term would be difficult. The decision raised fears of intervention by the generals if the political situation became more chaotic.

The decision by Mr Zardari not to restore the judges may result in a backlash from the lawyers and civil society. The Supreme Court Bar Association planned to hold countrywide protests from Thursday. “The lawyers will stage a two-hour sit-in every day in all the major towns of the country,” Aitzaz Ahsan, the president of the association, said.

Pakistan banned Tehrik-e-Taleban Pakistan, the country’s Taleban movement, yesterday after it claimed responsibility for a series of attacks, including two suicide bombings at an arms factory last week in which more than 70 people were killed. The move indicates a toughening of Pakistan’s stance as militant violence increases. Yesterday militants bombed the home of Waqar Ahmed Khan, of the Awami National Party, in Swat province. His brother, two nephews and five guards were killed.

Law and disorder

March 2007 Mr Musharraf suspends Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the Chief Justice, provoking protests across the country. Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister, and Mr Musharraf discuss a power-sharing deal

July Supreme Court reinstates Mr Chaudhry

October Mr Musharraf wins the presidential election but Supreme Court puts result on hold. Benazir Bhutto returns from exile and narrowly escapes a suicide bombing

November Supreme Court meets to decide if Mr Musharraf is eligible to stand for reelection while still army chief. Mr Musharraf declares emergency rule and dismisses Mr Chaudhry again. Ms Bhutto is placed under house arrest. Nawaz Sharif returns from exile

December State of emergency lifted and Constitution restored. Ms Bhutto is assassinated

February Victory for the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League, which win 210 seats in the National Assembly

March Mr Sharif and Mr Zardari form a coalition. Both promise to restore the Chief Justice and judges

August The ruling coalition says that it will launch impeachment proceedings against Mr Musharraf, who steps down

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