Musharraf Coalition Threat

February 2006 | Ratings Update

A key political ally of President Pervez Musharraf has threatened to withdraw its support from the ruling coalition if an army crackdown in Balochistan is not halted. The government has taken military action to tackle growing unrest in the south-western province, as tribal groups push for greater autonomy, but the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) wants the dispute to be settled through negotiations. Although a pullout by the MQM is unlikely to affect the federal cabinet, with the government continuing to have a majority, a withdrawal could lead to the dissolution of the provincial government in Sindh, where the MQM is the largest party.

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