In Pakistan, an ally of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-led coalition, the Muttaheda Qami Movement or the MQM, has decided to withdraw its support.

The decision came after the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif threatened to end the coalition if the MQM failed to cooperate in curbing violence in Karachi.

Correspondents say the break up of the alliance will not threaten the federal coalition, which enjoys a majority in the lower house of Parliament, though it will affect the PML-led coalition in Sindh province.