Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister-in-waiting Shaukat Aziz today (July 30, 2004) escaped an apparent suicide attack that killed his driver and another person, state-owned TV said.

Aziz, the current Finance Minister, was attacked in the town of Fateh Jang, 55 km from Islamabad when he was engaged in his campaign for the National Assembly seat, state run PTV said.

Reports said Aziz's driver was among those killed.

PTV said two bombs exploded near his car and Aziz, a former Vice President of the City Bank, escaped unhurt.

Secretary General of the ruling Muslim League Mushahid Hussain Syed said Aziz is safe.

Currently a member of Upper House Senate, Aziz must win a National Assembly seat if he is to take up the premier's post.

Last month former Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali stepped down. He was replaced by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the leader of the pro-military Pakistan Muslim League party who has said he will make way for Aziz in a two-phased transition to a new arrangement.