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Sharief faces revolt within his party

Cracks have developed in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League over the 15th Constitution Amendment Bill introduced by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief to make the holy Quran and the Sunnah the supreme law of the country.

As many as 30 members of the League have raised the banner of revolt against the party's leadership on the provisions of the bill. In fact, Khurshid Kasuri, member of the National Assembly, enraged by some remarks made by the prime minister at a meeting of the PML parliamentary party yesterday, even handed over his resignation to Sharief.

Sharief was annoyed that after having been elected on a PML ticket, Kasuri was openly lobbying against the bill. To this, Kasuri said he was opposing the bill because his conscience would not permit him to keep quiet, and in doing so he was only exercising his democratic right to free expression of his opinion. At this, Sharief demanded his resignation, which Kasuri handed over promptly and walked out.

Kasuri was later called back by several of his supporters in the PML who also asked Sharief to reject his resignation. Sharief complied.

UNI

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