August 19, 2008	Tuesday	Sha’aban 16, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: Scores of wildly happy people surged through streets on Monday afternoon as a wave of jubilation spread across almost all towns in the country when Gen (retired) Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation as the president in the face of looming impeachment.

Hundreds of political workers and civil society activists turned up in front of the Parliament House and celebrated the development amid chants in support of democracy and human rights.

“He (Musharraf) must have left earlier, his stay has caused economic instability and tension among the people of Pakistan” said a PML-N political worker carrying his party’s flag.

Similarly, sweets were distributed by the political workers in Aabpara Market, Karachi Company, I-10 Markaz, F-10 business centre and Peshawar Mor.

Soon after Gen Musharraf’s speech, the area around the Zardari House echoed with slogans of “Zinda he Bibi Zinda he” and “Musharraf ka jo yar ha Ghaddar hae Ghaddar hae”.

A large number of labourers, trade unionists and citizens watched the live televised presidential address on TV sets in eateries and commercial centres.

Similarly, lawyers affiliated with to the Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) also celebrated the announcement of President Musharraf's resignation by holding a rally, chanting slogans and distributing sweets, Online newswire reported.

The rally was held on the premises of the District Courts.

Speaking on the occasion, IBA General Secretary Riasat Ali Azad said after Gen Musharraf's resignation, the coalition government had up to three days to restore the deposed judges according to their promise.

Mr Azad also said they were not in favour of a ‘safe exit’ for Gen Musharraf, adding that a case under Article 6 of the constitution should be filed against him.

"Now terrorism and poverty will be eliminated and a new Pakistan of Quaid-i-Azam will emerge," he said.

TAXILA: A mix response came from people belonging to different walks of life when Gen (retired) Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation after remaining in power for almost nine years, our correspondent from Taxila reported.

PPP Rawalpindi district president Sardar Shoaib Mumtaz termed the resignation a victory for democracy. He said the decision would have far-reaching impact on the development of the country.

PPP Taxila chapter president Malik Najeebur Rehman said the resignation was a vindication of the nation’s demand for a civilian political order.

PML-N MPA from Wah Cantonment Zille Huma said Pakistan greatly suffered during the reign of Pervez Musharraf, adding that one could not find its precedence in the history.

Jamaat-i-Islami Rawalpindi chapter general secretary Shamsur Rehman Swati said the people of Pakistan had paid a heavy price while suffering one-man rule.

Former federal minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said the resignation might expose the country to another crisis.

ATTOCK: Lawyers have termed the resignation of president Musharraf a massive victory for their fraternity, media and the civil society, Dawn’s correspondent in Attock reported.

Talking to Dawn, senior attorneys including District Bar Association (DBA) Attock president Rana Afsar Ali Khan and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) member Sheikh Ahsanuddin said the resignation was the only solution to the prevailing political and judicial crises as well as serious internal and external threats.

“Undoubtedly, it was the desire of the entire nation to strengthen the democratic institutions and the political system, besides reinstatement of all deposed judges.”

They hoped all judges, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, would be reinstated without any further delay.

They said that lawyers will observe Youm-i-Tashakar on Tuesday, besides holding a rally in Attock to celebrate their win in the historic movement.