Banned from contesting, Sharif wants Zardari ousted

New Delhi: Political developments in Pakistan have now begun developing stronger tones as Pakistan President Zardari’s former ally ex-PM Nawaz Sharif declared open war against Zardari at a rally on Monday.

If the political unrest continues, some worry Pakistan's military may intervene, repeating a pattern that has put the country under military rule for much of its turbulent history.

“You, the people have to make a decision now that if to turn the tide of fortunes in the favour of Pakistan, if you have to sit in protest or go on long marches, you are ready,” said Nawaz Sharif to the gathering.

Nawaz Sharif has almost declared a war on the man he accuses of depriving him of his political right to contest elections.

Late last month, the Supreme Court banned opposition leader Nawaz Sharif from elected office, triggering violent protests by his supporters.

“I am not asking anything for myself. Give the rule of law to the country! “ said Sharif.

Sharif has made it clear that he is in no mood to relent and patch up with the Pakistani President. He has conveyed that there could be no reconciliation until Zardari surrendered his powers to dissolve Parliament.

Sharif wants the ousted chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhary to be reinstated.

Some would say that in effect Nawaz Sharif wants Asif Ali Zardari to commit political hara-kiri.

At a public rally in Narowal near Lahore, Sharif – the Lion of Punjab threw his weight behind the long march by Pakistan's lawyers.

As a measure of his strength Sharif had old ally, the Jamaat-e-Islami share the same platform.

There could be other potential allies lurking in the background.

Reports in the local press suggest that Sharif's disqualification has annoyed sections of the army that see politically dominant Punjab province succumb to light weight Sindh, the state Zardari hails from.

The army has strong roots in Punjab and is worried that political unrest there could complicate operations against the Taliban in the west.

But Sharif has now thrown the gauntlet and the call to battle has been heard.