ISLAMABAD, June 7: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has denied reports that Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has sought support from the People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) in case of any attempt to remove him from the office.

"This is wrong. Mr Jamali has not sought any help from the PPP," the minister said while talking to reporters at his chamber at the Parliament House here on Monday evening.

Mr Ahmed said any change in Sindh would have no affect on the centre. He said the political situation was different in Sindh and Islamabad. He said Sindh chief minister had resigned due to personal reasons and he had set up a good example. About the new chief minister, he said, there were three candidates in the running.

When asked specifically about Arbab Ghulam Rahim, he said he was also among the three contenders. Mr Rasheed said the government was making efforts to maintain law and order in Karachi. He claimed that the government was close to catching the murderers of Maulana Shamzai.

Regarding Wana operation, he said some foreigners had been arrested but their nationalities could not be disclosed. When asked if some Uzbeks had also been arrested and whether they would be handed over to their country, he said those arrested were still in the Pakistan.

However, he said, Pakistan had an agreement with Uzbekistan, under which prisoners' exchange could take place. He said the troops would remain in Wana till completion of operation.

The minister said the government intended to launch an independent channel to provide information to the general public with "less" official control. He said the ministry had sent a proposal to the finance ministry in this regard for approval.

He said news would also be telecast on the proposed independent channel. Mr Rasheed disclosed that the PTV was ready to launch its Direct to Home Service, and Akhtar Waqar Azeem had been made its managing director.