MULTAN, Aug 3: Political leaders belonging to the opposition and the ruling party have welcomed the release of Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who was jailed in 2004 on treason charges.

Nafees Ahmed Ansari, a member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA) from PML-N, called the Supreme Court’s decision to release Hashmi a victory of democratic forces. He said the court ruling reflected that the judiciary was independent.

Punjab Minister for Social Welfare Rai Mansab Ali congratulated Hashmi and his family on his release. He said the government believed in an independent judiciary and this decision had proved that the judiciary was completely independent. He said that now Hashmi would not be able to say that he lost the (upcoming) election because he was in jail. He said the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) would win the election on the basis of its “credibility and efficiency”.

Barrister Taj Muhammad Langah, president of the Pakistan Seraiki Party, said Hashmi’s release was a ‘pleasant step’ and demanded the release of all political prisoners.

Pakistan People’s Party MPA Dr Javed Ahmed Siddiqui said Hashmi’s release showed the judiciary wanted rule of law in the country.

He said the court decision had discouraged undemocratic forces. He said Hashmi’s release would give a boost to the political movement ahead of the election.