The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Islamabad

Pakistan's ruling coalition government looked on the verge of splitting on Monday over disputes about the judiciary and who should be the next president, as militant violence and economic problems mounted.

The coalition, formed after former president Pervez Musharraf's allies lost a February parliamentary election, has looked increasingly precarious since Musharraf resigned a week ago.

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the leading coalition partner, has been unable to reach an agreement with its main partner, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party, on the restoration of judges Musharraf purged last year. Another divisive issue is who should be the country's next president.

The PPP announced on Saturday that Bhutto's widower and political successor, Asif Ali Zardari, would be its candidate.

Sharif's party, which has repeatedly threatened to leave the coalition if the judges are not restored, was meeting on Monday afternoon to consider its position and was due to hold a news conference at 6 p.m.

As the politicians bicker, militant violence has surged.

Pakistani Taliban gunmen attacked a district government official's home in the Swat Valley, northwest of Islamabad, on Monday, killing three family members and seven guards, police said.