Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=8/25/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PAKISTAN POLITICS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-318462

BYLINE=MICHAEL KITCHEN

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Caretaker Prime Minister in Pakistan Steps Down

INTRO: Pakistan's caretaker prime minister has stepped down, clearing the way for Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz to take control of the country's Parliament. VOA's Michael Kitchen reports from Islamabad.

TEXT: Interim Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain announced his resignation on Wednesday, saying that Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz would be formally voted into office in the next few days.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League United faction chose Mr. Hussain to serve as caretaker prime minister in late June. That allowed time for the party's permanent choice as prime minister, Mr. Aziz, to run in by-elections for a seat in Parliament and qualify for the top post.

The prime minister is considered less important than the president, Pervez Musharraf, who sets most of Pakistan's policy and can dismiss Parliament and prime minister at will.

Ruling party officials, such as Mr. Hussain, say the choice of Mr. Aziz shows a new emphasis on economic issues.

/// EST. HUSSAIN ACT IN URDU AND FADE ///

Speaking the evening before his resignation, Mr. Hussain said the performance of the government will be judged on economic issues.

Elections for Pakistan's lower house of Parliament are slated for 2006, while voters will pick new upper house members in 2007.

Mr. Aziz, a former banker credited with a recent boost in Pakistan's economic growth, survived an assassination attempt during his parliamentary campaign.

Pakistani officials attributed the failed suicide bombing to militants opposed to Pakistan's crackdown on suspected terrorists. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/MK/KPD