01 March 2005	Tuesday	19 Muharram 1426

ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: The chief ministers of Sindh and Balochistan on Monday called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, separately, and discussed with him political issues and the law and situation in their provinces.

According to sources, the prime minister asked Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim to stop his tirade against former provincial minister Imtiaz Sheikh and wait for the report of the PM's inspection commission.

The chief minister gave his side of the story on the allegations levelled by Mr Sheikh. The sources said Pakistan Muslim League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had been advised to replace Arbab Rahim as the provincial party chief and Mr Sheikh as secretary-general as both of them had damaged the PML's image by taking extreme positions and engaging in public outbursts against each other.

They said that since Mr Rahim and Mr Sheikh both belonged to the Sindh Democratic Alliance, the hardcore PML activists were aggrieved over being ignored in the province. Speculations are also rife that the prime minister and Chaudhry Shujaat may advise President Gen Pervez Musharraf that the chief minister be replaced to end the crisis.

Talking to Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yusuf, the prime minister expressed determination of his government to implement the recommendations of the parliamentary committee on the political and constitutional issues of Balochistan led by Chaudhry Shujaat.

Mr Aziz reiterated the government's resolve to protect sensitive national installations at all costs and not to compromise on law and order in the province. Mr Yusuf briefed the prime minister about the political and law and order situation in Balochistan and sought his directives in this regard.

The premier said the government was anxiously awaiting the report of the parliamentary committee and was ready to implement it in letter and spirit. He said his government believed in resolving political issues politically.

The chief minister thanked Mr Aziz for approving development projects worth Rs17 billion for the province in the recent meeting of the executive committee of the National Economic Council and said it would result in job opportunities for a large number of Baloch.