August 21, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 18, 1429

QUETTA, Aug 20: The Governor of Balochistan, Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, has resigned from his office, sources close to him said on Wednesday night.

“Yes, Nawab Magsi tendered his resignation a few days ago,” the sources told Dawn, adding that PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari had asked him to continue working as the governor of the province.

They said that Nawab Magsi had appreciated Mr Zardari’s gesture but insisted that he wanted to be relieved. The sources said that Nawab Magsi had confirmed to Chief Minister Nawab Raisani and some ministers of his cabinet about his resignation in Islamabad on Wednesday.

They said that Nawab Raisani had requested Mr Zardari not to accept the resignation.

Rumours of Nawab Magsi’s resignation had been circulating for about two weeks and on Aug 14 he had said that he intended to quit because of the deteriorating law and order situation.

After Feb 18 elections, Nawab Magsi was a potential candidate for the chief ministership with the support of MPAs of the

PML-Q and some other parties, but former President Pervez Musharraf appointed him as the governor on Feb 27.