[Emirates 24/7] A key partner in Pakistain's ruling coalition says it is defecting to the opposition, leaving the US-allied government one vote short of a majority in the National Assembly.The announcement by the Islamist party Jamaat Ulema Islam threatens the existence of the weak civilian government whose cooperation is critical to America's war effort in neighbouring Afghanistan.
JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman
Known as
Mullah Dieselduring the war against the Soviets, his sympathies for the Taliban have never been tempered by honesty ...
said Tuesday the party is leaving because one of its ministers was sacked over a scandal involving Mohammedan pilgrimages to Soddy Arabia arranged by the government.
The next session of parliament is slated for December 20, giving the ruling Pakistain People's Party some time to cobble together a new coalition.