August 19, 2008	Tuesday	Sha’aban 16, 1429

PESHAWAR, Aug 18: Members of provincial assembly here on Monday termed the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf a victory of democratic forces and vowed to scrape all the policies adopted by the former dictator.

Lawmakers of ANP, PPP and PML-N celebrated the resignation of the president in the House by chanting slogans “Go Musharraf Go.” Speaker Karamatullah Khan Chagharmati prolonged the tea break and members listened live speech of Pervez Musharraf at the chambers. They lauded the coalition leadership, role of the army and the relentless public struggle and said that the military dictators could no longer usurp power if democratic forces forged unity among their ranks.

Rahimdad Khan of PPP said that nation deserved appreciation but added that they had still a long way to go in view of the ruination suffered by the institutions. Khan, who is also senior minister in the provincial cabinet, said they would continue struggle to ensure the supremacy of parliament, independence of judiciary, freedom of press and change the system without firing gunshots.

NWFP Minister for Education Sardar Hussain Babak blamed Pervez Musharraf for the killing of Pakhtuns and their children besides bombardment of seminaries and toppling elected government.

Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain called for giving up excitement, saying that they should do for what they had been elected by the people. Appreciative of the army’s role in the Musharraf’s exit, he hoped that army would facilitate smooth sailing of the political parties. Due to the unity among the political parties, he said, the president didn’t use 58 (2) (b) to dissolve the Parliament.

“How the former president could face the impeachment charges when he had already confessed to the violation of the Constitution and handing over Pakistanis to the US in return for getting dollars. Who was responsible for the current wave of bloodshed in NWFP and Fata,” he questioned.

Sardar Aurangzeb of PML-N opposed providing safe passage to the former president who according to him had killed innocent people in Lal Masjid operation and tribal areas. Another member of PML-N, Javed Abbasi, demanded Musharraf’s trial in accordance with the Article 6 of the Constitution. Alamzeb Khan of ANP asked the political leaders to stay united and work jointly to end the prevalent spate of terrorism, Talibanisation, Al Qaeda and other crisis like they compelled President Musharraf to resign.

Our Correspondent from Kohat adds: The office-bearers and activists of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz distributed sweets and danced to drumbeats in the bazaar to celebrate the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf on Monday.

However, many people in the city did not show any reaction over the resignation of the president and termed the coming days tough, both for the people and the government as far as law and order and price hike was concerned.