MARDAN, May 11: Provincial President of Pakistan People’s Party, Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti, has said that referendum had exposed all claims of popularity by President Pervez Musharraf and suggested that he (President Musharraf) should resign.

Talking to Dawn, the PPP chief said that the country was passing through a critical phase of its history, therefore, the task of governance should be left to the politicians and the army should go back to the barracks.

He said that the poor referendum show should prove an eye-opener for all supporters of the regime and the junta should not be allowed to play with the destiny of the nation.

He expressed wonder over the stand taken by the government that PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto would not be allowed to contest coming elections and said that she was a leader of the masses and no one could stop her from coming to her home.

He also criticized those who had left the PPP sometime back but were still using the party flag and its name.

He expressed concern over the law and order situation.