BAHAWALPUR, Nov 22: The government released Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khwaja Saad Rafique from the new central jail late on Wednesday night. Earlier, jail authorities had refused to release Rafique because he had been detained for three months. After his release, Rafique left for Lahore.

Talking to reporters outside the jail before leaving for Lahore, the PML-N leader reiterated the opposition’s demand for the resignation of President Gen Pervez Musharraf and reinstatement of deposed judges.

Separately, lawyers Shaukat Kashmiri, Muhammad Zahid, Abdul Waheed and Saleem Kausar of Lahore were released from Borstal Jail.

NOMINATION PAPERS: Returning officers issued 30 nomination papers to prospective candidates from various constituencies on Thursday.