A Press TV poll suggests Pakistan's political turmoil has been orchestrated by the US in an attempt to partition the nuclear-armed country.

Pakistan plunged into political turmoil in January when the Supreme Court disqualified opposition leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif along with his brother Shahbaz Sharif from elected office.

The crisis was intensified after a power struggle between the opposition group and President Asif Ali Zardari, a US ally and a key player in efforts against al-Qaeda and Taliban militants, damaged the standing of the Pakistani government.

The opinion poll conducted by the Press TV website found that an overwhelming 63 percent of some 3,807 participants believe the "tension is an American scenario to partition Pakistan."

The new US administration, on various occasions, has expressed concern over the future of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

A mere eighteen percent of the participants said the crisis stems from a power struggle between Pakistani politicians.

Another 18 percent said the turmoil was the result of 'al-Qaeda and Taliban influence over certain Pakistani politicians.

According to US intelligence and top ranking US military officials, Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency is abetting al-Qaeda militants.

MD/HGH