The Hindu : International : Shaukat Aziz sworn in

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 29, 2004

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International

Shaukat Aziz sworn in

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, AUG. 28. The newly-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, was administered the oath of office and secrecy minus his Council of Ministers by President Pervez Musharraf.

The new Council of Ministers is expected to be sworn in on September 1. A nominee of Gen. Musharraf, the new Prime Minister is bound to go by the wishes of the President in selection of his team. Later in the evening, he got a vote of confidence in the National Assembly.

Under the Constitution of Pakistan, a person elected Leader of the House in the National Assembly becomes the Prime Minister. After being sworn in formally, the person is expected to obtain a trust vote of the Assembly within 60 days.

Political observers are surprised as to why the swearing in of Mr. Aziz has been de-linked from naming his Council of Ministers since he was nominated as Prime Minister-in-waiting in the last week of June.

Indications are Gen. Musharraf is keen on induction of younger faces and change some of the major portfolios of senior Ministers in the previous Government. Former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri designated as Ambassador-at-large, pending completion of government formation, is expected to return in the same slot.

Politicians upset

There is a sense of despondency within and outside the ruling combine over the anointment of Mr. Aziz, an international banker-turned politician, to the top post. They view it as yet another indication of the contempt in which Gen. Musharraf holds the mainstream political leaders.

In an informal talk with correspondents after the swearing-in, Gen. Musharraf said the "smooth transfer of power" would augur well and hoped that the country would have excellent governance.

"I see this change auguring well and my expectations are that we will now have excellent governance in Pakistan," he remarked. He hoped that a new political culture would be introduced in the country.

The smooth transfer of power, he said, reflected the Pakistan Muslim League's maturity. "It reflects the maturity of the PML that the transfer of power has been smooth. I am pleased at this."

Peace process

In response to a question on the dialogue process with India, he said "in my view it is moving forward." Gen. Musharraf said Pakistan would be in a better position to comment on it (the peace process) after the talks between Foreign Ministers of two countries next month.

In his brief remarks, Mr. Aziz said his Government would attach highest priority to good governance, further improvement of the national economy and overall better performance. "This change shows that democracy has been strengthened in the country."

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