18 August 2004	Wednesday	01 Rajab 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that the transfer of power to the incoming prime minister Shaukat Aziz will take place "strictly under constitutional provisions and the set procedure after completion of the by-polls and announcement of results".

Speaking at a news conference at the ruling PML headquarters here on Tuesday, the premier said: "I will address the nation in the next four to five days to unveil the future programme of the ruling party".

He held out an assurance that the Aug 18 by-polls would be held in a transparent, fair and free manner. He said the PML would provide facilities to newsmen who would like to go to Attock to witness the polling process in NA-59 constituency. Mr Aziz is contesting the by-polls from both constituencies, NA-59 and NA-229 Tharparkar.

According to the procedure, the by-poll results would be notified on Aug 19 and the winning candidate would take oath as member of the lower house the next day followed by the ascertainment in the National Assembly on Saturday. The oath-taking ceremony is expected to be held on Aug 23.

In reply to a question about a meeting between the ruling parliamentarians and President General Pervez Musharraf earlier in the day, the premier said: "The president being part of the parliament and the system is authorized to summon some MPs or the entire parliamentary group for consultations and today's meeting was part of such consultations".

When asked whether the government was considering banning a certain religious party (Jamaat-i-Islami) after it was reportedly found out that some of its members were linked to Al Qaeda-related activities, the premier said: "Action is being taken against individuals who belong to a certain party but there is no action under consideration against any party".