A court in Pakistan's Quetta on Monday acquitted former president General Pervez Musharraf over his alleged role in the murder of former Balochistan leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

Bugti, who had led an armed campaign to press for provincial autonomy and a greater share of profits from Balochistan’s natural resources, was killed in an operation in Balochistan's mountains of Taratani in Kohlu district on August 26, 2006.

His death had sparked angry protests in parts of the country.

In 2009, an FIR was registered against Musharraf under sections 302 and 304 for his alleged involvement in Bugti's murder.

"After the announcement of the decision by  anti-terrorism court (ATC-1) Judge Jan Muhammad Gohar, the lawyer representing Jamil Bugti, Sohail Rajput, announced his decision to challenge the judgment of the court. We are not satisfied with this judgement and we will challenge it," Rajput told reporters outside court, according to Dawn News.