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ELEANOR HALL: It's a strategic ally of the United States and is still struggling to deal with its own flood emergency. Now the government in Pakistan is on the brink of collapse.
Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari held crisis talks with his coalition partners overnight amid fears the government could lose its majority in the parliament.
South Asia correspondent Sally Sara reports.
SALLY SARA: Two thousand and 10 has given little relief to millions of people in Pakistan.
The government is still struggling to deliver basic services and security in many parts of the country.
Now it's facing political instability. Two ministers from the MQM party submitted their resignations as part of a feud with the ruling Pakistan People's Party.
The ministers didn't take the extra step of crossing over to the opposition benches. But their actions have been enough to unsettle the government and prompt talks between the president Asif Ali Zardari and senior members of the MQM.
Two weeks ago seven MPs from a leading religious party also walked out in a separate dispute.
The latest incidents come at a time when Pakistan is under increasing pressure from the US and other members of the international community to play a greater role in the fight against terrorism.
The US has launched hundreds of drone attacks on suspected militant bases along the border with Afghanistan.
Columnist and political analyst Mosharraf Zaidi says the new year is expected to focus even more attention on Pakistan.
MOSHARRAF ZAIDI: I think what we'll see in 2011 is a significant ramping up of both political and media pressure on Pakistan. We'll see an even greater degree of dependency by the Obama administration on counter-terrorism measures in Pakistan such as drone strikes.
Of course these drone strikes are politically, they're really radioactive and they cause a significant degree of loss of face for the US in Pakistan and a number of problems especially in the tribal areas for the government there.
SALLY SARA: As the US and its allies plan the gradual withdrawal from neighbouring Afghanistan, Pakistan's long term strategic significance is increasing.
The country's internal political problems are being watched carefully by those with a stake in the region.
This is Sally Sara reporting for AM.
AM - Pakistan's government increasingly unstable 31/12/2010
Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari held crisis talks with his coalition partners overnight amid fears the government could lose its majority in the parliament.
South Asia correspondent Sally Sara reports.
SALLY SARA: Two thousand and 10 has given little relief to millions of people in Pakistan.
The government is still struggling to deliver basic services and security in many parts of the country.
Now it's facing political instability. Two ministers from the MQM party submitted their resignations as part of a feud with the ruling Pakistan People's Party.
The ministers didn't take the extra step of crossing over to the opposition benches. But their actions have been enough to unsettle the government and prompt talks between the president Asif Ali Zardari and senior members of the MQM.
Two weeks ago seven MPs from a leading religious party also walked out in a separate dispute.
The latest incidents come at a time when Pakistan is under increasing pressure from the US and other members of the international community to play a greater role in the fight against terrorism.
The US has launched hundreds of drone attacks on suspected militant bases along the border with Afghanistan.
Columnist and political analyst Mosharraf Zaidi says the new year is expected to focus even more attention on Pakistan.
MOSHARRAF ZAIDI: I think what we'll see in 2011 is a significant ramping up of both political and media pressure on Pakistan. We'll see an even greater degree of dependency by the Obama administration on counter-terrorism measures in Pakistan such as drone strikes.
Of course these drone strikes are politically, they're really radioactive and they cause a significant degree of loss of face for the US in Pakistan and a number of problems especially in the tribal areas for the government there.
SALLY SARA: As the US and its allies plan the gradual withdrawal from neighbouring Afghanistan, Pakistan's long term strategic significance is increasing.
The country's internal political problems are being watched carefully by those with a stake in the region.
This is Sally Sara reporting for AM.
AM - Pakistan's government increasingly unstable 31/12/2010
