Pakistan fuel row risks coalition unity

Fri A 9.9 cent fuel price rise That Came into effect in Pakistan on Tuesday nudged threaten the Civilian government at a time "when the Economic Outlook is Weak.

A rise in January was reversed just days after being Implemented When The Muttahida Qaumi Movement left the coalition Temporarily, destabilising the government of Yusuf Raza Gilani, the prime minister.

The MQM, based in the south, on Tuesday Rejected The Rise and Gave the coalition Three Days To Withdraw ITS Decision. Babar Ghauri, an MQM leader, said: "We Can not Accept A Step That will add to the miseries for our common people. This Price Increase is Unfair. "

The government said it was responding to Global events. Firdous Ashiq Awan, the information minister, said: "This price Increase is driven by international trends. If there is a situation in Libya Which added to Global Oil Prices and necessitated this step, then of course it is a situation beyond our control.

"People must under stand we live in times" when Such Measures are inevitable Due to conditions on beyond our reach. It is a Difficult Time, "she added.

Pakistan, M TENS of millions of people live in Poverty, is struggling with inflation. The Consumer Price Index rose 14.19 Fri cent in January from the sametime last year. It joins a Growing List of countries Grappling with the rise in Oil Prices as a Consequence of the Conflict in Libya.

A second MQM leader said it was unclear if the party Would Withdraw ITS support from the coalition again. "We do Not Want to instigate a Political Crisis That Mines Under Pakistan's Democracy ... It is too early to tell if the MQM will leave again. "