ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: A large number of workers, leaders and parliamentarians of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Monday gathered at the party central secretariat and celebrated the decision of the Supreme Court granting bail to Asif Ali Zardari in the BMW case.

Some of the workers also brought firecrackers and displayed them outside the secretariat. Sweets were also distributed on the occasion. The workers chanted slogans like "Prime Minister Benazir", "Jamhooriyat Zindabad" and "Jiye Bhutto". Some of the activists also performed Bhangra to celebrate the event.

Prominent among those present on the occasion were PPP secretary-general Jahangir Badar, MNAs Dr Azra Fazal, Dr Fahmida Mirza, Shamshad Sattar Bachani, Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Zamarrud Khan, senior lawyer Babar Awan, MPAs Farzana Raja, Sabiha Syed, Amir Fida Piracha, PPP activists Ibni Rizvi, Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas, Dr Chaudhry Zahid Akram, Chaudhry Aslam Gill, Sohail Malik, Khanzada Khan and Karamat Khan.

The PPP leaders hailed the SC decision and termed it a victory of democracy. They lauded the struggle of Mr Zardari for the cause of democracy and sovereignty of the parliament.

Meanwhile, Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi has said the Supreme Court decision to grant bail to PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari would strengthen democratic and political forces in the country.

In a message from Adiala Jail, Mr Hashmi said the release of Mr Zardari would have a great impact on the political scenario of Pakistan. He said Ms Bhutto and activists of the PPP deserved appreciation for their stand on the issue. He expressed the hope that Mr Zardari would play his role in the country's politics like a big leader.

Mr Hashmi said time had come that all democratic and political forces united on one platform against dictatorship and for restoration of democracy. Meanwhile, Mr Zardari's sister, Dr Azra, MNA, said the SC verdict was the victory of truth.

Speaking to workers at the PPP city office, she said her brother had made his family proud by remaining steadfast and not compromising with dictators. She, however, said she was very sorry that their mother was no more in this world to witness the release of her son after such a long time.

PPP city president Zamurad Khan, MNA, said the sacrifices rendered by Mr Zardari had injected a new life into the party. Dr Fehmida Mirza, MNA, told the workers that they would very soon hear the good news of the return of Ms Bhutto.

Leader of the opposition in Rawalpindi district council Mian Imran Hayat said Mr Zardari could have got released much earlier had he opted for a compromise with the military rulers, but he preferred to fight for the greater cause of democracy.