Minister says government happy with poll result

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Shaikh Rashid Ahmad said yesterday the government is satisfied with the outcome of the presidential election.

Talking to Gulf News outside the parliament after voting yesterday, Ahmad said the role of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in helping General Pervez Musharraf's re-election bid was obvious.

He said that had it not extended its support, things would have been difficult for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) to achieve.

"The PPP supported the government politically and in future the mutual cooperation will be more positive and constructive," he added.

"The process of voting for the presidential election has been smooth, transparent at all places and it is an encouraging omen for the forthcoming general election," the minister added.

Responsible nation

"The media have covered the presidential election independently and they have not pointed to any irregularity, it means the process was completely transparent," Ahmad said.

"But the real test for the government and opposition lies ahead as the general elections are on the cards. We must prove to the world that we are a responsible nation and I'm sure that challenge will be met as we have achieved in the presidential election," Shaikh Rashid added.

He said the opposition parties should have voted for their candidates and their resignations at this stage were a clear violation of the mandate the people had given them.

"The opposition parties have missed the occasion and they will have to pay for it during the forthcoming general elections when they contact the masses for vote," he said.

"The people of Pakistan knew that the opposition parliamentarians did not play a positive role."