PML-N asks Zardari to quit party post

ISLAMABAD: The main opposition PML-N today sharpened its attack on the ruling Pakistan People's Party and President Asif Ali Zardari, saying he should resign from the post of PPP co-chairman to prove his impartiality.

Senior PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, a close confidant of party chief Nawaz Sharif, criticised Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, saying all decisions were being made by the presidency on "directions from abroad".

Khan, who is Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament, said in the House that Zardari should resign as co-chairman of the PPP to prove that he was an impartial head of state.

He equated the PPP-led coalition government with President Pervez Musharraf's regime, said he did not consider the current set-up a parliamentary system.

Khan was also critical of the large size of Gilani's cabinet, saying 87 people were enjoying perks extended to ministers at a time when the country was facing serious economic problems.

The government had backtracked on promises made by slain PPP chairperson and former premier Benazir Bhutto and failed to usher in positive changes, he said.

Khan demanded the restoration of judges deposed during last year's emergency, implementation of the Charter of Democracy signed by the PPP and PML-N two years ago and the restoration of the constitution of 1973.