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MQM's Decision to Quit Ruling Coalition Leaves Pakistan's Government on the Brink of Collapse

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Pakistan's coalition government, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has suffered a severe blow as its key ally Muttaheda Qaumi Movement (MQM) decided to leave the ruling coalition and join the opposition benches. The MQM's 25 seats in the 342-member National Assembly have brought the PPP's coalition numbers down to 160, 12 short of the 172 required for a majority. The MQM's decision was announced by the party's deputy Wasim Akhtar, citing government fuel prices policy and failure to improve security and stamp out corruption as reasons for the move.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MQM's decision to quit the ruling coalition, supported by 25 seats in the National Assembly, has brought the PPP's coalition numbers down to 160, 12 short of the 172 required for a majority.
  • The MQM's withdrawal from the Cabinet due to government's failure to improve security and stamp out corruption has led to a significant challenge to the PPP-led government.
  • Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani stated that the government will not collapse, indicating that horse-trading to shore up a new coalition is ongoing.
  • The MQM's decision to join the opposition has paved the way for the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) to form a possible new coalition or support a parliamentary vote of no-confidence against the government.
  • The PPP is exploring options to maintain its majority, including an alliance with PML (Q) or dissolving the National Assembly.
  • The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), a small coalition partner, has called for the resignation of Prime Minister Gilani, raising speculation about the prime minister's position.

Statistics:

  • The MQM has 25 seats in the National Assembly, accounting for 0.07% of the total 342-member Parliament.
  • The National Assembly requires 172 seats to achieve a majority, a number the PPP-led coalition is 12 short of.
  • The PPP has 160 seats in the National Assembly, after the MQM's decision to leave the coalition.
  • The PPP-led coalition has the support of the Awami National Party, accounting for 12 additional seats.
  • The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) holds 91 seats in the National Assembly, one of the largest opposition parties.

Sources:

  • Arab News, "MQM decides to quit coalition, sit on opposition benches," by AZHAR MASOOD, dated 2009 (no specific date available)
  • Arabian Business, "MQM quits Pakistan's coalition government, by Marynia Kolak, dated 2009 (no specific date available)
  • Dawn, "MQM quits coalition, joins opposition," by ARIF COWASJEE, dated 2009 (no specific date available)
  • The News, "MQM, JUI, and PML (Q) in talks to topple Gilani government," by ASAD ULLAH GANI, dated 2009 (no specific date available)

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