The opposition Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz on Saturday urged new President Asif Ali Zardari to quit his position in the ruling Pakistan People's Party to demonstrate that he would function in a non-partisan manner in the post.
Speaking shortly after Zardari's victory in the presidential poll was declared by the Chief Election Commissioner, senior PML-N leader Saad Rafiq, a close aide of party chief Nawaz Sharif, called on the PPP chief to resign from his party position.
Zardari: From playboy to Pakistan President
In a statement congratulating Zardari, Sharif said he hoped the new President would "represent the federation beyond his political affiliation".
Sharif described Zardari's victory as 'the success of the democratic process' and appealed to him to reinstate all the judges deposed during last year's emergency, including former Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, at the earliest.
Zardari elected as Pakistan president
The PML-N withdrew from the PPP-led coalition after accusing Zardari of reneging on several promises and agreements to restore the deposed judges.
Sharif had then also accused Zardari of violating an agreement to field a non-partisan candidate for the presidential poll.
Pak: No let-up in Sharif-Zardari cold war
Sharif assured Zardari that the PML-N would continue cooperating with the PPP's government at the centre to strengthen the democratic and political process in the country.
He asked Zardari to implement in letter and spirit the Charter of Democracy, which was signed by Sharif and slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto in 2006.
Rafiq also urged the PPP government to review its policy for the war on terror and called on Zardari to take oath from deposed Chief Justice Chaudhry to demonstrate his commitment to reinstate the sacked judges.
