The ruling coalition finally split up with the PML-N withdrawing support from the PPP-led government on the pretext of inaction on the judicial issue and Zardari’s candidature for presidency. While addressing a press conference in Islamabad on August 26, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif also announced that Saeeduz Zaman Siddhiqui, a former Chief Justice, would be his party’s candidate for the upcoming presidential polls1. Reports noted that as many as 32 candidates have filed the nomination for the election2. Prime Minister Gilani meanwhile asserted the sovereignty of the Parliament by stating that the president should have no right to dismiss the popularly-elected assemblies3.

The PPP also expressed its vulnerability on the November 3 constitutional order issue with Law Minister Farooq H. Naek stating on August 27 that the controversial order could not be revoked4. Naek further added that since the order was passed in the Supreme Court, it was beyond the power of the National Assembly to undo it. Amidst these developments, eight deposed judges took fresh oaths at the Sindh High Court on August 27 in Karachi5.

In other developments, the government decided to withhold the security operations in FATA beginning from August 31 till the end of Ramzan6. Earlier on August 30, at least 40 militants were reportedly killed in security operations in Swat7.

Reports noted that the chief of the Pakistani Army, Gen. Pervez Kayani met with the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen on a US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on August 28 in the Indian Ocean. The two were said to have discussed military to military ties between the two countries8.

• 1. Amir Wasim, “Nawaz pulls out of coalition: Justice Saeeduz Zaman is PML-N candidate for president’s post,” Dawn, August 26, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/26/top1.htm
• 2. Iftikhar A. Khan, “32 file papers for presidential poll,” Dawn, August 27, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/27/top1.htm
• 3. “President should not have power to dismiss assemblies,” Daily Times, August 25, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\08\25\story_25-8-2008_pg1_1
• 4. “Nov 3 actions cannot be undone: Naek,” The News, August 28, 2008, at http://thenews.jang.com.pk/arc_default.asp
• 5. Jamal Khurshid, “Eight deposed SHC judges take oath,” The News, August 28, 2008, at http://thenews.jang.com.pk/arc_default.asp
• 6. “FATA operation suspended,” Daily Times, August 31, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\08\31\story_31-8-2008_pg1_1
• 7. “Swat death toll touches 40,” Dawn, August 31, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/31/top2.htm
• 8. Anwar Iqbal, “Pakistan terror war focus finally on target, says US: Kayani attends secret talks with American military chief on aircraft carrier,” Dawn, August 29, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/29/top1.htm