Islamabad - Pakistan's combative prime minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif, yesterday celebrated the exit of his most formidable opponent - the army chief - by defying his country's generals and winning cabinet approval to introduce Islamic justice, or sharia.
Pakistan's army command is deeply opposed to Mr Sharif's determination to impose sharia. Although yesterday's version of the bill was considerably diluted, and omits the original constitutional provisions that would have made the prime minister all-powerful, the cabinet decision is a sign that Mr Sharif fears no reprisals for the surprise and humiliating exit of the army chief.
