Another blow for Gen, arch critic ordered released

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release on bail of a senior opposition leader who was sentenced to 23 years in prison for trying to incite an army mutiny, a defence lawyer and officials said.

Pakistan8217;s Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release on bail of a senior opposition leader who was sentenced to 23 years in prison for trying to incite an army mutiny, a defence lawyer and officials said.

The decision to free Javed Hashmi, a close ally of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, will bolster political opposition to President General Pervez Musharraf, who plans to seek a new presidential term from lawmakers this fall.

The military leader has been weakened by his failed attempt to oust the country8217;s chief justice. He also faces a tide of Islamic militant violence and US demands for tougher action against al-Qaeda.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, who was suspended by Musharraf in March but cleared of charges of misconduct last month, headed the three-judge panel that ordered Hashmi8217;s release.

Hashmi, an arch-critic of the president, was convicted in 2004 on charges that rights and opposition groups alleged were politically motivated. He was sentenced in a Sessions Court to 23 years in prison for circulating a letter from some soldiers against Musharraf.

The letter, written on military stationery but unsigned, criticised Musharraf for making Pakistan a key ally of the United States in its war on terror in Afghanistan, and praised parliament for opposing a US request for Pakistan to send troops to join coalition forces in Iraq.

It also called for a parliamentary debate to examine Musharraf8217;s October 1999 coup, and demanded an investigation into the Kargil operation earlier that year, when Pakistan and India fought a limited war in the high mountains of the disputed territory of Kashmir. Musharraf was then the military chief of staff.

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The Government at the time accused Hashmi of using a forged letter. He was arrested three days after displaying the letter at a news conference. He faced charges including forgery, inciting mutiny and sedition.

Hashmi8217;s lawyers sought a review of the case from the Supreme Court, where Chaudhry and two other judges on Friday agreed to release him pending the review on bail of about 800.

8220;The court allowed bail for him,8221; said Akram Sheikh, Hashmi8217;s lawyer. Sheikh said he was trying to complete paperwork so that Hashmi could be released quickly from the Kotjakhpat Jail in Lahore where he is being held, though it appeared unlikely he would be freed before Saturday.

Mohammed Fayyaz, an official at the jail, said guards were ready to free Hashmi, though 8220;some formalities are yet to be completed. 8220;There will be no hurdle from our side,8221; Fayyaz said.