August 19, 2008	Tuesday	Sha’aban 16, 1429

LAHORE, Aug 18: Senior Provincial Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad has said that Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) have established the supremacy of democracy by ridding the country of dictatorship.

Addressing a press conference at the zonal office of the Pakistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Monday, he said PPP

Co-chairperson Asif Ali

Zardari had isolated Pervez Musharraf by using his political vision and he was forced to resign.

“The ruling coalition also deserves credit for foiling the attempts of a dictator to destabilise the government. The PPP will now revamp the economy and solve the problems being faced by the business community.”

FPCCI Zonal Chairman Azhar Saeed said the resignation of President Musharraf had a positive effect on the economy. Stock exchange position had improved by 460 points and the rupee appreciated against dollar.

Lahore PPP President Azizur Rahman Chan, women wing president and MPA Sajida Mir, Malik Mushtaq Awan, Faiza Malik, Zakaria Butt, Munir Ahmed Khan and provincial revenue minister Haji Muhammad Ishaq also congratulated the nation on the resignation of President Musharraf.

APP adds: Punjab Minister for Finance, Planning and Development Tanvir Ashraf Kaira said that the resignation of Pervez Musharraf was the voice of the whole nation and was a huge victory for democracy.

In a statement, the minister said this was a momentous day in the democratic and political history of Pakistan which would be celebrated all over the country.

He said that Musharraf's resignation marked the end of a dark era, and from now onwards no dictator would dare using unconstitutional means to sabotage the democracy.