PESHAWAR, Nov 22: The Pakistan People's Party has welcomed the release of Asif Ali Zardari.

PPP's provincial vice-president Syed Qamar Abbas, information secretary Syed Ayub Shah and Khwaja Yawar Naseer in a joint statement issued here on Monday said that the PPP had always reposed its confidence in superior courts, which had been the only hope for the genuine political forces in Pakistan.

The release of Mr Zardari on bail in all cases registered by successive regimes in the past would strengthen the party, they said. The PPP leaders praised the courage demonstrated by Mr Zardari during his eight-year-long incarceration and said that Mr Zardari had preferred to endure state suppression rather than cut a deal with the rulers.

PPP leaders hoped that the present government would honour the superior court's verdict and refrain from instituting more bogus cases against Mr Zardari. They said that the PPP would overcome all hurdles put up by anti-democratic forces. They termed the release of Mr Zardari writing on the wall for all opportunists, who had joined hands with those in power.

Earlier, activists of the Zardari Rihai Committee led by Behramand Khan Tangi gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club and raised slogans in favour Mr Zardari's release.

The stayed their for more than hour and chanted slogans against the government. They carried portraits of Mr Zardari and distributed sweets among the people outside the club and dispersed peacefully.

Awards for policemen: The Peshawar University Teachers' Association will award certificates of appreciation to the police officials who have recovered stolen cars of teachers, said a press release on Sunday.

A general body meeting of the association will also be held on Saturday to chalk out a line of action for the resolution of problems faced by the teachers. The certificates and awards will be given at a function, to be presided over by Vice Chancellor Mumtaz Gul, after the meeting. Provincial police chief Mohammad Raffat Pasha will be the chief guest.

Senior Superintendent of Police Abid Ali will be given a shield and a certificate in recognition of his efforts to check aerial firing on the eve of Eid. An Eid milan party will be held on Saturday afternoon. It will be followed by a mushaira at the Senate Hall.