January 16, 2003	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 12, 1423

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RAWALPINDI, Jan 15: The anti-PML-Q verdict of the people of NA-56 is not an expression of no-confidence in the policies of the government, Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said.

Speaking at a press conference at his political secretariat, Lal Haveli, the minister said he accepted the defeat of his candidate and nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq in the by-elections. Mr Shafiq, a PML-Q ticket holder, was contesting for the seat vacated by Sheikh Rashid.

He said people still believed that the government was following sound policies and working in the interest of the country.

Explaining the causes of his nephew’s defeat, the minister said that religious parties had benefitted from the anti-US atmosphere prevailing in the country. Secondly, he said that the opposition parties always had an edge over other parties in the city constituencies.

He alleged that all political parties had united against his candidate, and it was next to impossible to defeat a united opposition.

The Nawaz Sharif factor had also damaged the prospects of his candidate’s success, he accepted, adding that the low turnout also went against Shafiq. Had it been a public holiday, the results would have been different, he told newsmen.

The federal information minister said that time would prove that this loss went in his favour.

In reply to a question regarding the future of development works announced by the government during Mr Shafiq’s campaign, he said that the plans would be materialised.

He congratulated MMA’s Hanif Abbassi on his success. However, he said he would like to express his regrets at this occasion over the attitude of the MMA workers, who had attacked an election office of the PML-Q.

Mr Rashid said he had decided not to pursue the case with police to help promote an atmosphere of reconciliation.