英语文摘：Pakistani gov't loses majority as coalition party to sit on opposition benches

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani government has lost majority in the parliament as a powerful party in ruling coalition Sunday decided to sit on opposition benches.

Leaders of Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said that they will approach the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate for allocation of seats on the opposition benches.

The coalition led by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of President Asif Ali Zardari presently enjoys the support of 181 seats including the MQM's 25 in the 342-member national assembly, the lower house of the parliament.

The coalition just has nine more than the required 172 seats needed to keep its majority.

Political analysts say that the government has now lost majority in the National Assembly and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani is required to seek fresh vote of confidence from the parliament.

The prime minister was quick to respond to the MQM's decision and dispelled the impression of any threat to his government.

"My government would stay," Prime Minister Gilani told reporters in Lahore.

MQM central leader Haider Abass Rizvi said that the decision was made as the government has "failed to address to the people's problems".

Two ministers from the MQM had earlier resigned from the federal cabinet, citing the government failure to stop corruption and check the price hike.

Another ally Jamait ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) also quit the cabinet last month, prompting political crisis in the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari had personally stepped up efforts to save the ruling coalition from being collapsed after MQM and JUI-F parted ways with the government.

On Wednesday President Zardari met a central leader of MQM in Karachi and assured him that all reservations of the coalition partners would be addressed.