Islamabad, Apr 25: Pakistan's top opposition leader Javed Hashmi, who has been convicted of sedition, has appealed against his 23-year sentence in the Lahore High Court. Hashmi, who heads the alliance for restoration of democracy, has said in his appeal that he was implicated in a "fake" case by government agencies and contended that the sessions court decision was against the law and based on speculation, Pakistani daily 'The Daily Times' reported.

The acting president of the Paksitan Muslim League-Nawaz was convicted on April 12 on seven counts including sedition. He was arrested on October 29, 2003 for circulating a letter purpotedly from an army officer who criticised President Pervez Musharraf's policies.
He was charged with maligning the armed forces, inciting them to mutiny, and forgery.

The appeal also challenged the on-camera hearing of the case before the sessions court.

The United States had expressed concern over the "closed nature" of Hashmi's trial.
Bureau Report