Pakistan Supreme Court releases Javed Hashmi

Islamabad, Aug 3 (UNI) Pakistan's Supreme Court today ordered the release of a top opposition leader and vice president of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Makhdoom Javed Hashmi who was serving 23 years imprisonment for defaming armed forces.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, ordered Hashmi's release on surity bonds worth 50,000 rupees.

Hashmi had been sentenced to 23 years in prison in 2004, months after his arrest for bringing army into disrepute. He had spoken of dissatisfaction within the armed forces during a press conference in October 2003, only to be arrested, tried inside the jail and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Pakistan Muslim League (N) has welcomed the court's order and termed it as a victory of democratic forces.

Reuters adds; ''The sentence is suspended and he (Hashmi) should be released immediately on bail if he is not wanted in any other case,'' said recently reinstated Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, whom Musharraf tried to sack four months ago.

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UNI