08 February 2004	Sunday	16 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain called on Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Saturday and discussed with him reconstitution of NA standing committees.

Sources said the speaker apprised the prime minister about names of parliamentarians to be included in each standing committee. PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and political adviser to prime minister Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan also attended the meeting.

The sources said the government was considering nominating some of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal members as standing committees' chairmen in recognition of their cooperation in the passage of the 17th Amendment Bill.

Opposition members had rejected standing committees formed by the speaker in November 2003, saying they had not been given due representation. Some of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy members had even submitted their resignations to the speaker, leading the speaker to give an assurance that he would reconstitute the committees.

The prime minister told the meeting said the government would endeavour to 'maintain' supremacy of parliament and the constitution at all costs, said an official handout.

He said the sanctity of parliament and constitution was dear to all parliamentarians but at the same time they should 'prove by their conduct and attitude' that they deserved responsibilities vested in them by the electorate.

Expressing optimism about the future of democracy in the country, Mr Jamali urged the opposition to show positive attitude in the forthcoming session of parliament.

He reiterated the government's resolve to take opposition along on every issue.