国际英语新闻：Political crisis in Pakistani averted

On Thursday Gilani withdrew the hike in the fuel prices to win the support from MQM. MQM had also made several other demands including end to corruption and imposition of tax on landlords. The other demands have not yet been accepted, but MQM said that it will not send the prime minister back empty handed and announced support to him after Gilani held talks with MQM in Karachi.

Prime Minister Gilani had launched series of meetings with some opposition parties to avoid collapse of his government as he had been under pressure to seek fresh vote of confidence in the parliament.

Although the MQM's decision has given some sigh of relief to the prime minister, the crisis will remain as the main opposition party Pakistan Muslim League-N of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given a few-day deadline for the acceptance of several tough demands.

Sharif had earlier set a deadline for the prime minister to respond in three days whether or not accepting the demands. He extended the deadline for another three days due to the assassination of the governor of Punjab province Salman Taseer, which has plunged the country into a critical situation. Sharif's demands are tough and Prime Minister Gilani has not responded to his call yet.