Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=08/28/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PAKISTAN/PRIME MINISTER /(L-O)

NUMBER=2-318547

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

HEADLINE: New Prime Minister Takes Office in Pakistan

INTRO: Pakistan's former finance minister Shaukat Aziz has been sworn in as prime minister. As Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad, the 55-year-old technocrat is a close ally of military leader President Pervez Musharraf.

TEXT: Standing alongside President Pervez Musharraf at the President's House in Islamabad, the former Citibank executive took the oath of office on Saturday.

/// AZIZ TAKING OATH ///

"I, Shaukat Aziz, do solemnly swear that I am a Muslim, that as Prime Minister of Pakistan I will discharge my duties honestly to the best of my ability, faithfully."

/// END ACT ///

The Parliament elected Mr. Aziz head of the government on Friday.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Prime Minister Aziz says the transfer of power is in indication of a "stable political culture" in Pakistan.

/// AZIZ ACT ///

"This is an indication of our democracy is maturing in Pakistan and we are all very committed as a team to start a new era and build a strong vibrant Pakistan."

/// END ACT ///

The opposition boycotted the vote on Friday after jailed opposition candidate, Javed Hashmi, was not allowed to attend the session.

The senior opposition politician, a strong critic of President Musharraf, is serving a life prison sentence for defaming the military. Mr. Hashmi and his supporters say the charges were politically motivated and were meant to discourage critics of the military leadership.

Senator Farhatullah Babar is a member of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's opposition party.

/// BABAR ACT ///

"The way Shaukat Aziz was elected was a mockery of democracy and constitution. And the way yesterday the opposition candidate was not allowed to come to the Parliament to contest against the official nominee, Shaukat Aziz, that also was a mockery of democracy."

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Aziz replaces caretaker Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League. Mr. Hussain stepped down this week after less than two months in office. During that time, Mr. Aziz ran in a by-election for a seat in Parliament, so he could qualify to become prime minister.

Mr. Aziz has promised to deal strictly with terrorism and corruption and to take forward the peace process with neighboring India. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/AG/KPD/KBK