The lesser partner in Pakistan's ruling coalition pulled its ministers out of the cabinet Monday, causing new uncertainty in a nation that is struggling to assert democratic rule after nine years of a military-backed government.
The Pakistan Muslim League, led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, withdrew from the six-week old alliance after failing to resolve a dispute over restoring judges fired last year by President Pervez Musharraf during a temporary emergency rule. Mr. Sharif had called for the judges to be reinstated by Monday.
The larger partner in the coalition, the Pakistan People's Party of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, wanted the judges to be restored as part of a broader overhaul package and was less keen on confrontation with Mr. Musharraf over the issue.
Read the report by Zahid Hussein:
