Shehbaz’s freedom a welcome sign for democracy: Zardari

Difference of opinion is a feature of democracy, says PPP co-chairman

ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari congratulated opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif on being released from jail on Saturday.

"Shehbaz’s freedom a welcome sign for democracy," said Zardari, adding that we [Pakistan Peoples Party] have always raised our voice for the supremacy of the parliament.

There is no political prisoner in PPP, the party co-chairman said.

Nobody can be sent to jail on an allegation, Zardari said, adding that, "politics of allegation brings harm to the country."



The difference of opinion is a feature of democracy, said Zardari, who also congratulated PML-N workers and leaders on the party president's release.

"It's our right to protect the Constitution."

Centre was strengthened and stabilised as a result of the 18th Amendment, the former president stated.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif has been set free on bail.

Soon after the bail, Shahbaz Sharif set off for Lahore late Friday night. The former Punjab chief minister was held in custody over his alleged misuse of authority and involvement in Ashiana Housing Scheme scam.

He was granted bail by the Lahore High Court on Thursday after a 90-day remand given to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

However, Shehbaz spent only a few days in Kot Lakhpat Jail as the National Assembly speaker issued his production orders after which he was released from custody and was allowed to fly to Islamabad.

His residence in ‘Ministers Enclave’ was declared as the sub-jail while he was also selected as Chairman of Public Accounts Committee following which his production orders continued to keep him out of the sub-jail.