Pakistani party to abandon ruling coalition

A key partner in Pakistan's ruling coalition says it is defecting to the opposition, leaving the US-allied government one vote short of a majority in the National Assembly.

The announcement by the Islamist party Jamiat Ulema Islam threatens the existence of the weak civilian government whose cooperation is critical to AmericaÕs war effort in neighbouring Afghanistan.

JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Tuesday the party is leaving because one of its ministers was sacked over a scandal involving Muslim pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia arranged by the government.

The next session of parliament is slated for December 20, giving the ruling Pakistan People's Party some time to cobble together a new coalition.