The PML-N on Monday formally announced that it had decided to quit the Federal Cabinet as the dialogue to reinstate judges could not materialise. The eight federal ministers belonging to PML-N will submit their resignations to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday.
The announcement was made by Nawaz Sharif at a crowded press conference following a meeting of the party central executive committee. On the occasion, Nawaz also announced that he would contest the by-elections. "The PPP failed to keep its promise on reinstatement of the deposed judiciary, in toto, and that is why we have decided to part ways in the coalition government", he said.
"PML-N will not sit on the opposition benches, for the time being, and would support the government on the basis of issues", he said. Nawaz returned from London on Monday morning where he failed to motivate Asif Ali Zardari in a last-ditch effort on the issue of judges.
He recalled that after the February 18 elections, the PPP had sought support of PML-N for formation of the government and the latter had offered its "conditional support" despite serious reservations to take oath under President Musharraf.
"You know, that there were three important points in the Bhurban Declaration, and we committed to implement them in letter and spirit," he said. The commitment, he added, was to restore pre-November 3 judiciary through a parliamentary resolution in the National Assembly within one month of the formation of the government. But, he lamented that despite his hectic efforts, he failed to motivate the PPP co-chairperson for the implementation of the Bhurban Declaration.
"That is why we are taking this difficult step and also know that it will dent the democratic process, which has just started after the anti-Musharraf mandate given by the masses to the democratic forces on February 18 elections", Nawaz said.
"We left no stone unturned to keep our promise made in the Bhurban Declaration," he said, adding, "I had to go to Dubai and then to London to hold negotiations with PPP on the issue, but to no avail." In reply to a question about the future of Punjab province where the coalition government is being led by the PML-N, he said.
"It is the prerogative of PPP to decide whether to go with us or not. The stance of PML-N is that the steps taken on November 3 were unconstitutional and illegal, as over 60 judges were deposed in a single move by an army chief in the presence of so-called President, Prime Minister and Parliament."
Nawaz reiterated that his party does not accept these PCO judges and would continue struggle till restoration of sacked judges, sending Musharraf home, with the support of civil society, lawyers, political workers and media. The PML-N chief said that independent judiciary has direct link with the survival of the country and without it the problems of the country cannot be resolved.
"We wanted the coalition government to remain intact, but the party has been left with no other choice than to walk out because of the deposed judges are not being restored as per commitment," Nawaz Sharif argued. "Although no longer part of the government, we will never be part of any conspiracy against democracy and the government." He said that PML-N accepts pressure neither from US nor from any other side. "Our decisions always reflect the aspirations of the people," he added.