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Pakistan's Main Coalition Partner to Quit Government

   VOA News 02 January 2011

Photo: REUTERS

   Policemen in riot gear stand guard, with parliament in the background,
   in Islamabad (File Photo)

   Pakistan's  main  government coalition partner says it will split from
   the country's ruling party alliance and join the opposition.
   A spokesman for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, or MQM, announced Sunday
   that  it  would  sit with the opposition in both the National Assembly
   and the Senate.
   The move follows last week's resignation by two of the party's federal
   cabinet ministers.
   The  MQM  previously  has  been  at  odds with the government over tax
   reforms, increased fuel prices and efforts to improve security.
   It  is not clear if the move will collapse the U.S.-allied government,
   which previously held a small majority in parliament.
   Pakistan's  Prime  Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani says his government will
   not fall, despite the planned MQM move.

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