Pakistan ruling partner in U-turn on move to opposition

THE second-largest member of Pakistan’s ruling coalition reversed its decision to join the opposition yesterday, averting the potential collapse of the government in this nuclear-armed nation.

The move by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, announced after Prime Minister Raza Yousuf Gilani backed down on unpopular economic measures, restored the government’s parliamentary majority and eased the political crisis facing Pakistan.

But the government’s concessions could prevent it from receiving billions of dollars in international loans, exacerbating the country’s already precarious financial position.