HYDERABAD, March 1: The Taluka Council, Qasimabad, which met at the HDA office on Thursday called for the return of Ms Benazir Bhutto and release of her husband, Asif Ali Zardari.

The demand came in the shape of a resolution, which was adopted by the Council unanimously.

The out-of-agenda resolution was tabled by Saifullah Memon and seconded by Aslam Sattar on Thursday.

The convenor, Rafi Abbasi, allowed the mover to table his motion after the house endorsed the minutes of the previous session.

The house was adjourned for Saturday till 11am when it would take up a heavy agenda.

The council has a strength of seven with a woman, labour and minority member each.

Mr Memon in his resolution demanded that Ms Benazir Bhutto should be allowed to return to her country and play her due role in the prevailing political situation.

The resolution said that she should be allowed to continue her political activities so that she could also promote the devolution system of the government.

The house also stressed the need that Asif Ali Zardari should be afforded an opportunity of free and fair trial before he was released.

BURNT: A sweet seller, Afzal Hussain (35), suffered 75 per cent burn injuries while trying to ignite his stove which had been leaking gas in his shop in Katcha Qila on Friday.

He was taken to the burns ward of the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital.

The doctors said that his condition was critical.