Ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pulled his party from the Cabinet after just six weeks May 12, raising doubts over the new government's stability and Pakistan's transition to democracy after eight years of military rule.

The coalition that came to power after February elections — dealing a crushing defeat to allies of President Pervez Musharraf — could now flounder. Its two key partners cannot agree how to restore senior judges axed by the former military strongman late last year.

A permanent split in the coalition would boost Musharraf, a longtime ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorism, who has taken a back seat since the new government took power in late March.