PAKISTAN WAS thrown into political turmoil last night after a partner in the ruling coalition quit the government, leaving a minority administration that will struggle to survive.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) pulled out of President Asif Zardari’s government, leaving it 12 seats short of a majority in the national assembly. The MQM cited a rise in petrol prices and new taxation.
Any political instability may take the government’s focus off the fight against extremism. Pakistan’s co-operation is believed to be vital in fighting al-Qaeda and in finding a solution for Afghanistan.
Many in Pakistan will see the hand of the country’s powerful military behind the crisis. The MQM, whose leader Altaf Hussain has lived in self-imposed exile in London for almost two decades, is reputedly close to the military establishment.
The current army chief, Gen Ashfaq Kayani, has repeatedly said he will not intervene in politics. But the military has worked behind the scenes in the past to end civilian governments and also periodically staged coups.
Mr Zardari’s government still has two years of its five-year term left. The loss of a parliamentary majority does not automatically trigger elections. That would require a no-confidence motion being passed in parliament.
Much now depends on the leader of the opposition Nawaz Sharif, who has said he will not support moves to undermine democracy.