Bradford University Chanc-ellor Imran Khan has thanked Bradford students and residents for campaigning for his release.

The former cricket star turned politician, who is chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (Movement for Justice) Party and a political rival of President Pervez Musharraf, was freed from jail last week after being arrested while attending a protest rally in his home country and charged under anti-terrorism legislation.

The university lobbied the British Government to intervene and started an on-line petition which attracted 2,000 signatures.

In a message sent to vice-chancellor Prof Mark Cleary, Mr Khan said: "It meant a great deal to me to know that this work was going on while I was in prison and there is no doubt that this campaign did have an impact, both there in the UK and here in Pakistan."

Yesterday Mr Khan said his party was against taking part in any forthcoming general election in Pakistan under the current conditions. He said: "This would have been the first election that we would have fought while being properly prepared, but we have decided to boycott it and urge other parties not to participate if the pre-November 3 position is not restored."

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