In today’s Times, Salman Masood reports that the Muttahida Quaumi Movement has withdrawn from Pakistran’s ruling parliamentary coalition — but why? Not to bring down the government, it seems. Perhaps it would be better to say that no one wants to take the present government’s place.

Arif Rafiq, a political analyst based in Washington, agreed. “No one wants to rule in Islamabad right now,” Mr. Rafiq said. “The economy is a mess, and the International Monetary Fund is pushing the federal government to impose deeply unpopular taxes. I do not anticipate a push for a confidence vote or the fall of the government in the next few months.”

In our view, Pakistan’s dysfunction is by far the biggest international problem facing the United States. We’re sorry to read that the MQM is playing with matches.

Drop me a line at rjk@dailyblague.com
This entry was posted on Monday, January 3rd, 2011 at 10:30 am.