'Pak parties should address differences'

The US has refused to be drawn into the latest uncertainty in Pakistan following Nawaz Sharif's decision to pull out PML-N ministers from the government and said political parties in the country will have to address the issues pertaining to coalition politics.

"We neither want to nor can answer these questions for the Pakistani political leaders and their political system. They are going to have to address it," State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said reacting to Nawaz Sharif's decision to pull out PML-N ministers from the government.

He said the US was convinced that the government in Islamabad will continue to function.

"My understanding is that the government will continue to function at this point," he said.

Deepening the rift with main coalition partner PPP and raising the spectre of fresh political uncertainty in Pakistan, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif yesterday announced that his party will pull out of the Cabinet following the deadlock over reinstatement of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf.

Sharif, a former prime minister and PML-N leader, however said the party would still support the six-week-old coalition government on an "issue by issue basis" despite clear disagreement with PPP over restoration of the 60 judges deposed by President Pervez Musharraf.