Pakistan's prime minister holds key talks with opponents

Yousuf Raza Gilani has won tentative support at crisis talks with political opponents after his coalition partner the MQM quit the government to join the opposition.

ISLAMABAD // Pakistan's beleaguered prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, won tentative support at crisis talks with political opponents yesterday, raising hopes that his government can stave off imminent collapse.

The political turmoil was sparked on Sunday when coalition partner the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) quit the government to join the opposition.

The move severed the government's majority at a time of economic meltdown that has raised International Monetary Fund (IMF) concerns, and risked diverting Pakistani efforts, under US pressure, to do more to fight al Qa'eda and the Taliban.

Mr Gilani spent yesterday locked in talks with the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q), whose 50 legislators could prop up the government, and the brother of the opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, who left the coalition in 2008.

"It was agreed that parliament and democracy will be strengthened and no step will be taken which could derail democracy," an upbeat Mr Gilani said.

The PML-Q leader, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, said he would consult his party, but indicated that it could come to the prime minister's rescue.

"We will support them on one condition - that they will solve the problems being faced by the people of Pakistan.

"We do not want to blackmail them. We talked about all issues namely the reformed general sales tax bill, inflation, unemployment and the anti-blasphemy law," he said after the meeting in Lahore.

No entirely civilian government in Pakistan has managed to complete a full term in office and with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leading a majority of 160 seats in the 342-member national assembly, horse trading had begun immediately. Although he is not bound to seek a vote of confidence in parliament, Mr Gilani could face serious problems in passing legislation and any failure to get the budget adopted in June could force snap elections.

Pakistan has managed to stave off bankruptcy thanks to a 2008 IMF rescue package, but after catastrophic flooding last summer there are fears that Islamabad cannot meet key targets on inflation and budget deficit levels.

The president, Asif Ali Zardari, who is also chairman of the PPP that won elections in February 2008, expressed full confidence in Mr Gilani and "firm hope" that he will complete his five-year term in office.

"The prime minister is not alone, he will not be left alone. The party stands behind him through thick and thin," a spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, said.

The MQM said its 25 legislators moved into the opposition in protest at the government's nine per cent increase in petrol prices, inflation and record on corruption, but also left the door open to supporting it in the future.

"We will support anyone, including the present government, who withdraws the increased oil prices and offers a package to provide relief to the people," said the MQM regional Sindh cabinet minister for health, Saghir Ahmed.

To bring down the government, the opposition would need to overcome deep divisions to table and win a no-confidence vote, therefore forcing elections.

That would depend on the former prime minister Mr Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party, which analysts believe is unwilling to take on the mantle of Pakistan's myriad problems prematurely.

Mr Gilani met Mr Sharif's brother, Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab province, but the party stopped short yesterday of calling outright for a vote.

"We have said we will not destabilise them, but we won't lend them any support after they lost their majority due to corruption and incompetence," said Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, a senior PML-N leader.

MQM legislators walked out of a national assembly session yesterday to protest against the rise in petrol prices.

"The common man is desperate for bread when the government imposed the hike in petroleum prices. The government must take back this increase immediately," Mr Khan said to chants of "shame, shame".

Pakistan's powerful military establishment, which has staged three coups and ruled the country for more than half its existence, is reputedly not seeking a political role under the army chief of staff, Ashfaq Kayani.

"I don't think they would like to take over because that would invoke sanctions, which would be detrimental, as they are reliant on military assistance from the United States," said the retired Gen Talat Masood.