ISLAMABAD, Aug 19: Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz will himself appoint his cabinet members as this is a prerogative of a prime minister to choose his team.

Talking to reporters at his chamber in the Parliament House here on Thursday, the prime minister said the new cabinet would have representation from all coalition parties. Replying to a question, Mr Hussain said that he would transfer power to the new prime minister next week.

"Let Mr Aziz first take oath as member of the National Assembly after issuance of notification of his victory," the prime minister said on being asked as to when he would tender his resignation. He said that Mr Aziz would likely take oath as an MNA on Friday.

The prime minister, however, said that he would address the nation before tendering his resignation to highlight the achievements of his short-term government. He said as president of the Pakistan Muslim League, he would continue to guide the government on policy issues and the party politics but would not interfere in the day-to-day functioning of the government.

Replying to a question regarding alleged involvement of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) in terrorist activities, the prime minister said no political party of the country had any link with Al Qaeda. He said there could be some individuals but no religious party was involved in terrorism.

Mr Hussain said the by-elections in Attock and Tharparkar were conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner. "Election in Attock and Tharparkar was transparent and no rigging took place in these constituencies," he said.

He said though voters' turnout remained low in the morning, it started improving gradually in the afternoon. He described the turnout in these constituencies as satisfactory. The prime minister evaded direct questions on the issue of Gen Pervez Musharraf's uniform or Wana operation.