Hashmi appeal

PAKISTAN’S main opposition leader has appealed against a 23-year sentence for trying to stir an army rebellion against President Gen Pervez Musharraf, a spokesman for his party said yesterday.

Javed Hashmi, who heads the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy coalition, was convicted on April 12 on seven counts, including sedition. He was arrested in October for publicising a letter purportedly from an army officer who criticised Musharraf.