'PML opponents to face defeat in Nazim polls'

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid has reiterated his resolve to defeat all opponents of the PML in Rawalpindi.
"We would get an overwhelming majority in the Nazim elections as four UC nazims of Rawal Town have joined the PML after which the position of ruling party candidate had consolidated with having support of 30 UC nazims," he said while addressing a press conference and talking to newsmen at a function organised by Aurat Foundation here on Saturday.
The minister was flanked by Punjab law minister Raja Muhammad Basharat, PML-supported candidate for district nazim Raja Javed Ikhlas and advisor to Punjab CM Rahat Masood Qudoosi.
He said that the statement of President Pervez Musharraf regarding the womenfolk was twisted and misquoted to create confusion. "It was the President who took the task of empowering women in Pakistan and gave them due role in socio-economic development of country. We will give more powers and monthly salaries to women councillors", he added.
On the occasion, Raja Basharat, who is also the chairman of PML election cell in Rawalpindi District, told the journalists about latest development in the election campaign in the district for third and final phase of local bodies polls.
He claimed that the PML-supported candidate would win seat of District Nazim as well as all the eight Town Nazims in Rawalpindi District with huge margin.
The provincial minister said those elements who were against the devolution system four years ago are now trying to enter the system and this is the reason that unnatural alliances have emerged.
Raja Basharat was of the view that Pakistan Muslim League is the only political party who fielded the candidates for all seats in Rawalpindi District.
"The opposition is converging in very unreal manner by virtue of fear of defeat," he added.
Raja Basharat said that in Kallar Saydan Town 6 UC nazims belong to PML out of 11, similarly in Gujar Khan 29 out of 33, in Kahuta 9 out of 14, in Kotli Satiyan 9 out of 10, in Murree all the 15 nazims are with us while we have heavy majority in Rawal and Potohar Towns as well", the Punjab law minister added.
He said, "On October 1 the PML has convened a meeting of all the UC nazims and naib nazims of the district in which we will show our full strength"
Raja Basharat said that there is no restriction on ministers to favour the contesting candidates for Town Nazim slots.