Islamabad, Dec 05: A judge rejected a bail application by Pakistan's opposition leader today, the country's state-run news agency reported. Javed Hashmi, the leader of the alliance for restoration of democracy coalition, was arrested on October 29 for allegedly trying to incite a revolt in the army against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the premier and commander of the military.
Hashmi's family has since been fighting a public and legal battle for his release.
Judge Chaudhry Asad Raza rejected the bail request Friday, the media in Pakistan reported. The reasons he cited were not given in the report, and the judicial decision could not immediately be confirmed by the government officials.
Hashmi has been one of the main critics of Musharraf since the General seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999.
The politician was arrested days after he publicly showed a letter allegedly written by army officers criticizing some of Musharraf's policies. Before his arrest, Hashmi told reporters that several other politicians also had received the letter.
Bureau Report