Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz's chief Nawaz Sharif. — Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz’s chief Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday gave Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani 72 hours to agree to key reforms, otherwise threatening to expel the ruling party from government in Punjab province.

Nawaz Sharif delivered the ultimatum with Gilani scrambling to keep his government alive since losing his majority on Sunday when the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) quit to join the opposition.

“The prime minister should tell us within the next 72 hours if he can do it. If he does not tell us or says he cannot do it, then we will part ways with them in Punjab also,” Nawaz Sharif said.

Nawaz Sharif took his Pakistan Muslim League-N party out of the federal government in August 2008. So far his party has stopped short of calling for a vote of no-confidence in the government, which if passed, could force snap elections.

Opinion

Editorial

Climate reckoning
Updated 30 Dec, 2024

Climate reckoning

Pakistan cannot afford to wait for global consensus to act. We are indeed living in what scientists describe as “a dangerous new era”.
SOE burden
Updated 30 Dec, 2024

SOE burden

PAKISTAN’S state-owned enterprises are haemorrhaging, putting a tremendous burden on the debt-ridden ...
Unlearning hate
30 Dec, 2024

Unlearning hate

THE problem of xenophobia and intolerance are deep-rooted in our society. An important study conducted some years ...
Stocktaking
Updated 29 Dec, 2024

Stocktaking

All institutions must speak in unison against illegal activities in the country.
Ceasefire mirage
29 Dec, 2024

Ceasefire mirage

THERE was renewed hope that Israel would cease its slaughter for the time being in Gaza as Tel Aviv’s negotiators...
Olympic chapter polls
29 Dec, 2024

Olympic chapter polls

A TRUCE has been reached, ensuring Monday’s elections of the Pakistan Olympic Association will be acceptable to ...