09 March 2005	Wednesday	27 Muharram 1426

KARACHI, March 8: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has assured that national identity cards will be issued to those who had migrated to Pakistan from the former East Pakistan.

Talking to newsmen after his talks with Muttahida Qaumi Movement leaders at Nine Zero, the prime minister said that the Constitution would be amended, if necessary, for realizing the objective. He said that he had held talks with MQM parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar and said that the government would give serious consideration to the issue of national identity cards.

Shaukat Aziz, who had visited the MQM headquarters on Monday, also had telephonic conversation with Muttahida chief Altaf Hussain and informed him about development initiatives in Sindh and Karachi. He said that the government was doing its best for the development of Karachi.

In this connection, he cited the revival of KCR and the projects undertaken by Karachi Port Trust. He said that the government was focusing on the overall development of the country and would provide adequate funds to the provinces for this purpose. He said that it was his government's endeavour to improve infrastructure and provide better facilities to the people to improve their quality of life.

Referring to the ongoing row between Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and his sacked revenue minister Imtiaz Shaikh, Mr Aziz said he had met both of them. He said that the inspection team was looking into allegations and after its report the decision would be made public.

About excesses against Dr Shazia in Sui, the prime minister said that judicial inquiry was taking place and who so ever was found guilty would not be spared. MQM's parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar told newsmen that this was the first visit of Shaukat Aziz to Nine Zero after assuming the office of prime minister to acknowledge MQM's support.

He said that during telephonic conversation with the prime minister, Altaf Hussain welcomed him and paid tributes for developing cordial working relationship between governor and the chief minister. Mr Hussain said such a relationship would give a boost to economic development in the province.

In this context, he referred to record increase in Karachi Stock Exchange index and hoped that it might cross the 10,000 mark if democratic dispensation continued. Earlier, Shaukat Aziz was warmly greeted by MQM activists on his arrival and showered rose petals and chanted welcome slogans.