ISLAMABAD, Sept 3: National Reconstruction Bureau chairman Daniyal Aziz was accorded the status of a federal minister on Friday, states a notification. With the elevation, Mr Aziz has been delegated more powers and new assignments.

The NRB chief told Dawn that earlier he had been working as a state minister. "I think it is a promotion and a reward for my services in implementing the devolution plan," he said.

When asked why had he not taken oath as a federal minister with other members of the recently-formed cabinet, Mr Aziz said that it was not necessary for him to take a fresh oath as he was working under the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

He said that after becoming a federal minister, he called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz who gave him some new assignments to make the devolution system and good governance programme more effective.

Mr Aziz had assumed the charge of office as the NRB chairman in December 2002 as a state minister. He has already worked as one of the member of the NRB.