Sharif gives Pakistan govt. ultimatum

PML-N Chief Mian Mohammed Nawaz Sharif

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158623.html


Pakistan's main opposition Leader Nawaz Sharif has given the Islamabad government three days to agree to key reforms or face collapse.

Pakistan's Muslim League-N chief has threatened to join other opposition parties.

"We are putting forward an interim agenda and demand the government accept or reject it within 72 hours," Sharif said after a meeting of senior members of his party.

The former prime minister has demanded a reverse in recent fuel price hike and a cut in government expenditures.

He also says the government must implement a series of court verdicts against ruling party officials for corruption.

"If the government says no to our demands, then I think it will be a very weak government."

"But we need a strong government, and I think for this, we may need the fresh mandate from the people," he said.

Sharif had earlier said that he would not push for a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Political tensions are running high in Pakistan as calls for Gilani's resignation gain momentum.

Gilani has come under fire for his handling of security in the country.

The developments come days after a key party in Pakistan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, withdrew from the ruling coalition to join the opposition -- a move that could leave the government short of the majority support in the parliament.

MQM, the dominant political force in the southern port city of Karachi, said the decision was due to the government's poor performance, in particular over corruption issues and the economy.

The recent developments have triggered a political crisis in the south Asian country which has been run by Pakistan People's Party since 2008.

Amid the lingering political crisis, the government in Islamabad is struggling with a growing militancy and economic crisis in the country.

In a separate development, the governor of Punjab Province was killed in a shooting in the capital Islamabad on Tuesday.

Salman Taseer's death is expected to further add to instability in the South Asian country.

Taseer was a high-profile member of the ruling party and a close ally of President Asif Ali Zardari.