No bail for Pakistan politician

Mr Hashmi is being victimised, his supporters say

Pakistan's High Court has turned down a petition calling for opposition leader Javed Hashmi to be freed from prison.

The petition was filed by Mr Hashmi's daughter, Memona, and had the backing of prominent opposition politicians.

Mr Hashmi was arrested on 29 October in Islamabad, after claiming he received a letter from the army criticising the President, Pervez Musharraf.

Authorities said the letter was forged and want Mr Hashmi to stand trial for inciting mutiny in the military.

US diplomat's concern

Memona Hashmi attacked the court's decision.

She now plans to appeal to the Supreme Court for her father's release.

You cannot get justice because of the influences of dictatorship Memona Hashmi

While the court gave no reason for rejecting the petition, the BBC's Islamabad correspondent says the charges against Mr Hashmi are non-bailable.

Mr Hashmi is now likely to remain in prison until he is tried.

The US ambassador to Pakistan, Nancy J Powell, drew attention to Mr Hashmi in a speech last week, saying he should have a speedy trail and be allowed to meet relatives and lawyers.

Stifling dissent

Over the weekend, Mr Hashmi was allowed to meet his two daughters for the first time since his arrest.

After the meeting, Memona Hashmi said her father had been mistreated in custody and looked frail.

Mr Hashmi is head of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy, a coalition of parties opposed to the presidency of General Musharraf.

He is also acting leader of the party affiliated to Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister ousted by President Musharraf in a 1999 coup.

Opposition leaders have demonstrated against Mr Hashmi's arrest, saying it shows the president cannot tolerate dissent, despite having pledged his commitment to democracy in the country.