In another setback to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf [Images], the Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release of prominent Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Javed Hashmi, who was sentenced to 23 years in prison four years ago for criticising the army.

Hashmi, a bitter critic of Musharraf and the acting president of the PML-N headed by former premier Nawaz Sharif, was arrested in 2003 after he circulated an unsigned letter from some soldiers against the General.

Hashmi, also a member of the National Assembly, was accused of creating a rift within the army, a charge he had denied.

"The sentence is suspended till a final verdict on review petition is allowed," the court said in a short order.

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ordered Hashmi's release on bail. The court ordered the bail on deposit of surety bonds of Rs 50,000.

The Supreme Court had a few years ago upheld Hashmi's sentence and rejected his petition to challenge the lower court's verdict. But the court on Friday suspended Hashmi's sentence and accepted his review petition for regular hearing.

Hashmi's lawyers argued that he was sentenced to 23 years on different counts but the maximum sentence was seven years. If his chances of getting remission were taken into consideration, he has completed his prison term.

Even though the government lawyer argued that Hashmi was not granted remission, the court said every prisoner was entitled for remission.

The release of Hashmi, a bitter critic of Musharraf and the army, is a major setback for the beleaguered president and a boost for Sharif, who along with brother Shabaz on Thursday filed petitions in the apex court seeking an order to remove obstructions for their return from exile.

Hashmi is also the President of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy in which the Pakistan Peoples Party headed by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto is a constituent.