New Delhi: BJP today welcomed the victory of "democratic forces" in Pakistan and expected the new rulers to work for a "negotiated and peaceful" settlement of issues with India and take steps to stem cross-border terrorism.

The party, whose government initiated the historic peace process with the then Pervez Musharraf regime in January 2004, also hailed the "end of a decade of dictatorial darkness" in Pakistan.

"We expect the new rulers of Pakistan to work for a negotiated and peaceful settlement of all issues between India and Pakistan and to make constructive contribution to regional peace and cooperation," BJP chief Rajnath Singh said in a statement.

Singh hoped the new rulers in Pakistan will be able to exercise "proper democratic control" over the Army, which, he said, was responsible for the Kargil war and continues to unleash cross-border terrorism against India.

The saffron party also said that the minorities, expecially Hindus, in Pakistan played a very limited role in the elections and expected the new government to take "proper care" of them.

"We hope that the democratic forces will provide Pakistan with a truly representative government with full people's participation," he said.

Opposition parties PPP and PML-N routed Pervez Musharraf's main ally PML(Q) in Pakistan's keenly-watched parliamentary elections yesterday, raising questions about the President's political future.
Source : PTI