December 12, 2001	Wednesday	Ramazan 26, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: Federal minister for labour, manpower and overseas Pakistanis, Omar Asghar Khan, resigned from the federal cabinet on Tuesday amidst reports that he was planing to launch a new political party.

The request made by Mr Khan to President Gen Pervez Musharraf to relieve him of his ministerial responsibilities has been accepted, said a press release issued on Tuesday evening.

The president has asked Mr Khan to continue as a member of the federal cabinet until after Eid, it added.

Mr Khan reportedly told reporters that he had resigned for contesting the next elections. Sources close to him divulged that he was also planning to launch his own political party.

However, the official announcement said that Mr Khan had made the request to this effect citing personal reasons to pursue his political career and his social services.

It maintained that the president lauded the services of Mr Khan for fostering a healthy relationship between the workers and the government, highlighting environmental issues, motivating overseas Pakistanis for a much-needed active role in the nation building activities.