Pakistan PM bows to opposition party demands: statement

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani bowed to 11 key opposition demands ON Sunday in order to shore up his government after a week in which the ruling party briefly lost its majority in parliament.

The demands of the main opposition PML-N, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, included that the government investigate corruption scandals, reduce non-development spending by one third, and set up an independent election body.

One of the 11 demands, that a controversial fuel price hike be reversed, was already met by the government on Friday.

"PM (prime minister) telephoned Mian Nawaz Sharif, PML (N) leader, and conveyed a positive response to his ten points," said a statement from the prime minister's media office.

"... Sharif appreciated PM's political acumen and maturity," it said.