The Hindu : International : Resentment over Musharraf's choice of Prime Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 01, 2004

International

International

Resentment over Musharraf's choice of Prime Minister

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 30. The "stop-gap" Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chaudhary Shujat Hussain, has retained the ministerial team in the Mir Zafarullah Khan government and vowed to continue policies of the President, Pervez Musharraf.

Mr. Hussain, who was elected as Leader of the National Assembly on Tuesday, was administered the oath of office and secrecy along with his ministerial team by Gen. Musharraf at an impressive ceremony at the Presidential palace.

Mr. Hussain inducted two new faces from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He has obviously decided to leave the job of changes in the Government to the PM-in-waiting, Shaukat Aziz and brought back the Ministers with the same portfolios. Mr. Aziz is being fielded as the candidate of the ruling combine for election to the National Assembly.

International banker turned politician Mr. Aziz is at the moment a member of the Senate (Rajya Sabha) from the quota of technocrats. Under the Constitution, only a member of the National Assembly could become Prime Minister.

There is resentment among members of the ruling combine over the decision of Gen. Musharraf to handpick a technocrat for the job of Prime Minister. None of those opposed to the move could be expected to air their views for fear of incurring the anger of Gen. Musharraf.

Opposition parties have accused Gen. Musharraf of zeroing in on Mr. Aziz to please the U.S. and the international financial institutions. They have been egging on the ruling party members to resist imposition of `imported' Prime Minister in the hope of cashing in on the unrest. It is very unlikely that any one would bite the bait.

Gen. Musharraf on his part hit out at the Opposition parties for their criticism of Mr. Jamali's resignation and described the smooth transfer of power as a landmark event in the democratic history of the country.

"History has been created as never before such smooth transfer of power took place," he told newsmen after the swearing in of Mr. Hussain. The President, who administered the oath, said the Opposition tried to create an impression as if there would be some crisis.

"But contrary to their wishes every thing has been smooth." Commenting on the Opposition leaders' remarks about his meetings with the MPs, Gen. Musharraf said he was part of Parliament and the system.

"Therefore, objections about my meetings with Members of the Parliament are irrelevant — and there is nothing wrong when the leaders of PML and allied parties hold meetings with me." Regarding the consultations with the politicians about the change, he said views were exchanged with the elected representatives.

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