Sharif’s PML-N ends alliance with PPP in Punjab province

The PML-N chief made the announcement after chairing a meeting of top leaders of the PML-N to discuss relations with the PPP,which also heads the government at the centre.

The decision to end the alliance with the PPP in Punjab was made after the expiry of a deadline set by the PML-N for the implementation of a 10-point reforms agenda.

“The PML-N and the PPP will go their separate ways (in Punjab). We are forced to say ‘khuda hafiz’ (goodbye) to the PPP. We will now be separate parties in Punjab,” Sharif said.

The PPP had not acted on most of the points in the PML-N’s reforms agenda,he added.

The decision was approved by a majority of the senior leadership of the PML-N as the PPP had repeatedly reneged on promises it made after coming to power in the 2008 general election,he said.

“We hope that after this decision,the PPP will change its ways and take solid steps to provide good governance to people in the remainder of its tenure (at the centre),” Sharif said.

Sharif listed a litany of complaints against the PPP and its chief,President Asif Ali Zardari,that dated back to the period when the PML-N had briefly joined the coalition at the centre after the 2008 general election.

He accused Zardari of failing to implement several promises and contended that the PPP was not respecting or implementing the verdicts of the superior judiciary.

Observers said the PML-N’s decision to part ways with the PPP would add to the problems of the federal government,which is grappling with economic woes,terrorism and a tense stand-off with the US over the arrest of Raymond Davis,an alleged CIA contractor.

Asked about the case of Davis,Sharif said Pakistan’s courts were independent and should decide the matter.

“We should respect the courts and others should do that too. The courts should decide,” he said.

The PML-N party had decided in principle to part ways with the PPP several days ago and the matter was formally sealed in today’s meeting of the party’s top leaders.

The two parties were uneasy partners in the coalition government in Punjab for nearly three years.

The PML-N,which is the main opposition party at the centre,is now expected to step up its criticism of the federal government,observers said.