Bhutto husband in 'democracy' vow

Zardari (in white) hopes to unite opponents of the government

The husband of former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto says he intends to "galvanise the forces of democracy" now he has been freed from jail.

Asif Zardari was released on bail on Monday after eight years in prison facing corruption and conspiracy to murder charges.

He also said he hoped his wife, who lives in self-imposed exile, would now return to Pakistan.

Ms Bhutto denied any deal had been done with the government to free Mr Zardari.

Mr Zardari called his release a victory for democracy and for the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which his wife still leads.

I don't have to leave Pakistan. [My wife] will, Inshallah [God willing], come here and I will wait till she comes Asif Zardari Profile: Asif Zardari Benazir's extraordinary career

Mr Zardari was released from detention in hospital in the southern city of Karachi, where he was being treated for various ailments.

He told the BBC's World Today programme that he now hoped "to bring some life and blood into the workers" of the PPP.

"I intend to galvanise the democratic forces and hopefully lead them to victory... in the salvation of democracy lies the future of Pakistan."

He said he hoped he would not have to leave Pakistan to be reunited with his wife, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates and London with the couple's three children.

"I don't have to leave Pakistan. [My wife] will, Inshallah [God willing], come here and I will wait till she comes."

'Political harmony'

Ms Bhutto, who also faces corruption charges in Pakistan, said she was ecstatic to learn of her husband's release.

Opposition supporters in Lahore celebrate the release

She told Pakistan's Geo television she wanted to return to Pakistan.

"I want to go back... My children want to see their father. I think all exiled leaders must have the right to go back to their country, and I say it will be good for Pakistan."

Ms Bhutto was twice prime minister of Pakistan. Her governments were dissolved in 1990 and 1996 for alleged corruption.

She denied there had been any deal with the government to secure her husband's release but said there had been talks between the administration and PPP.

"No government official met with me, but there have been meetings with Asif Zardari and my party leaders for political reconciliation," she said.

The BBC's Paul Anderson in Islamabad says the release could revitalise the PPP, which is still the biggest opposition but has suffered defections to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q).

Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed welcomed the release, saying it would be "good for political harmony".

Swiss case

Mr Zardari had previously been granted bail in all but one of the cases outstanding against him - including conspiring to murder Ms Bhutto's brother, Mir Murtaza, in 1996.

Former PM Bhutto hopes to take the couple's children home

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday granted bail of 1m rupees ($16,700) in the final corruption case against him - the alleged evasion of import duties on a car.

However, charges of corruption and involvement in murder still stand.

Mr Zardari has been convicted of money-laundering in Switzerland but in April rejected an offer from the Pakistani government to be released to travel there to appeal.

His doctors said he was too ill to travel.

Last year a Swiss court gave Mr Zardari and Ms Bhutto six-month suspended sentences and fined them $50,000 each for money laundering.

They denied the charges and lodged an appeal.