August 19, 2008	Tuesday	Sha’aban 16, 1429

QUETTA, Aug 18: Politicians in Balochistan have described the resignation of President Pervez Musharraf as a victory of democratic forces.

Lawyers and political activists took out processions and gathered outside the press club on Monday soon after the president announced his resignation in a television address.

Leaders of the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) and National Party said that the departure of the president was a good omen and called upon the government to stop military operation in Balochistan, release political detainees, trace missing persons and rehabilitate displaced people.

Addressing jubilant workers of his party, PPP’s provincial chief Nawabzada Lashkari Khan Raisani said the PPP had defeated the fourth military ruler through political struggle.

PML-N’s provincial chief Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasar said that Nawaz Sharif had refused to compromise on principles.

Lawyers’ leader Baz Mohammad Kakar said the struggle of lawyers had forced the military dictator to surrender of the will of people.

Leaders of the Talal and Aali groups of the Jamhoori Watan Party said that Nawab Akbar Bugti, Nawabzada Balaach Marri and hundreds of other Baloch people had sacrificed their lives for the struggle against the autocratic rule.

Mir Rauf Sasoli, secretary-general of the JWP’s Aali group, said that the government should withdraw troops from Dera Bugti and resolve issues through dialogue.

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Rauf Lala called for immediate reinstatement of the deposed judges.

Commenting on the president’s resignation, BNP-Mengal president Sajid Tareen said the government should not give a safe passage to Pervez Musharraf.

National Party secretary-general Mir Tahir Bizengo said the president’s resignation would not solve Balochistan’s problems. He said Pervez Musharraf should be tried for killing hundreds of Baloch people.

JUI-Ideological Amir Maulana Asmatullah said the president’s resignation was a victory of democratic forces.