Musharraf denies contemplating removal of Aziz

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has refuted reports that he was thinking about replacing Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, holding him responsible for the crisis generated over the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikar M Chaudhry.

Regretting that such reports continued to be circulated despite clear denials from various levels of the government, a spokesman for the president denied all speculation regarding change in the government and a deal with an opposition party.

The president has categorically and repeatedly stated that the government was functioning successfully and noticeable progress had been achieved on many fronts, an official statement issued in Islamabad on Sunday said.