Pakistan today expressed the hope that that the defeat of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ruling party in the Indian general elections would not affect the peace process between the two countries.

"We hope any change in the government in India will not effect the peace process between the two countries," Information Minister Sheikh Rashid told AFP.

"This process is not linked to personalities, it is an outcome of the desire of the people of the two countries
for peace," Rashid said over phone from Kuala Lumpur, where he is attending a Non Aligned Movement conference.

Asked whether Vajpayee's defeat was because of the ongoing peace process, Rashid said "the results are an internal
matter of India and we will not get into any speculation."

"The desire for peace is not linked to individuals," Rashid said.