AMID the country's turbulent political landscape, the PML(N) has upped the ante by refusing to send its ministers back to the Federal Cabinet. The party's chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, in a joint press communiqu on the President's impeachment earlier with PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, affirmed that he would send back four ministers as a goodwill gesture. But the possibility did not materialize and barring the fist meeting the ex-ministers did not show up on other occasions and likewise did not take charge. The PML(N)'s argument in defense of this latest move however holds little water. This time around, the party is saying that it would only reclaim the vacant slots once the impeachment resolution is tabled. On the face of it this shows PML(N)'s preference for the impeachment process over ministries in the Federal Cabinet. It also shows the persistence of the party's determination to throw President Musharraf out of the political ring. This consistency without doubt has hiked up its popularity. Apart from this, there is also the factor of grievances the PML(N) holds towards the PPP, especially the latter's failure to live up to its promise to restore the judges as pledged in the Murree Declaration. The PML(N) leadership considers this to be a breach of promise on the part of the PPP; a backpedalling from its stated stance. It was precisely this reason that fuelled the resignation of the nine PML(N) ministers from the Cabinet earlier. But what is of paramount importance is the fact that the country's multifaceted problems have only increased due to the present bickering among the politicians, be it over impeachment, or the judicial crisis. There should be little doubt that the absence of PML(N) members from the helm, particularly the crucial finance portfolio, has exacted a heavy toll from the country's economy, apart from aggravating a number of other problems. The makeshift arrangement by the PPP, which made its ministers handle the extra work on ad hoc basis, failed to repair the damage. However harsh the political climate, the issue of governance should not have taken a back seat to any other problem for that matter. The parties simply cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this vital aspect. The PML(N) in particular would have to understand that being a part of the coalition, it would have to represent itself fully in Cabinet. Withdrawing its ministers creates an impression of disunity within the ranks of the dispensation. While it is to be hoped that the PML(N) would be back to resume its respective tasks, there is urgent need to end the prevailing political uncertainty.