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Pakistani group announces support for PM Gilani

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Jan 8, IRNA -- A key party in Pakistan Friday rejoined the treasury benches in the parliament which has averted threat to Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

The Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) or United National Movement had decided last Sunday to part ways with the government of Prime Minister Gilani, reducing his majority to minority in the parliament.

Two ministers of the MQM had also quit the federal cabinet.

The MQM decision had posed serious threat to his colaition government and reduced its parliamentary majority in minority.

Prime Minister Gilani Friday visited MQM's headquarters in Karachi and succeeded to persuade its leaders to withdraw its decision of joining the opposition benches in the parliament.

The MQM announced to rejoin the treasury benches but would not rejoin the cabinet.

Threat to the PM Gilani government has now subsided as it has regained majority in the parliament. The MQM had protested over the recent nine per cent increase in the oil prices and the Prime Minister on Thursday withdrew hike in the fuel prices to win its support.

The MQM had also made several other demands including end to corruption and imposition of tax on landlords. The other demands have not yet been accepted but the MQM said that it would not send the Prime Minister back empty handed and announced support to him.

Prime Minister Gilani had launched series of meetings with some opposition parties to avoid collapse of his government as he had been under pressure to seek fresh vote of confidence in the parliament.

Although the MQM decision has given some sigh of relief to the Prime Minister, the crisis would remain as the main opposition party Muslim League-N of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given a few days deadline for the acceptance of several tough demands.

Sharif had earlier set a deadline of three days for the Prime Minister to respond in three days whether or not he accepts the demands. He extended the deadline for another three days due the assassination of governor of Punajb province Salman Taseer, which has plunged the country into a critical situation. Sharif's demands were tough and Prime Minister Gilani has not yet responded to his call.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30174828