MR H.S. Suhrawardy, former Prime Minister, was released from Karachi Central Jail at 7 p.m. yesterday. He was detained under the Security of Pakistan Act on January 30 this year.

An official Press note said that the Government of Pakistan was “now satisfied that Mr Suhrawardy will not henceforth participate in any disruptive activities”; and it was “therefore decided to release him forthwith”.

Immediately after his release Mr Suhrawardy told Dawn that no conditions were attached to his release. “I was expecting another month in jail,” he said.

He said he had not sent any communication to the tribunal for his release. He said that the tribunal had yet to start functioning. “The question of my submitting anything did not arise.”

Mr Suhrawardy regretted the situation created by irresponsible statements made by political leaders after the Martial Law was withdrawn. “They were sitting quiet during Martial Law and are now creating confusion,” he said.

He said he looked weak because he was running temperature for about a month.

Mr Suhrawardy said he would have about a fortnight’s rest before starting normal activities. When asked about his future plans, he said he had already thought it over and would announce them shortly.

He, however, said that he would like the special sanitary fittings fixed in his jail suite at his expense to remain as a donation from him. Mr Suhrawardy was sitting on the lawns of his Lakhim House. — Staff Correspondent