Death row man 'being counselled'

Amjad Hussain said: "It's been quite an ordeal for him and he needs some space and time and needs to adjust.

"Still, it is a wondrous occasion for him."

Hussain was convicted in 1989 of murdering a taxi driver, but maintained the killing was in self-defence.

On arrival at Heathrow Airport, Mr Hussain thanked those who campaigned for his release and added: "I am glad to be home."

My thoughts remain with all the prisoners I have left behind
Mirza Tahir Hussain

In a statement read on his behalf by MEP Sajjad Haider Karim, he said: "It has been a tremendous strain to be separated from my family and loved ones.
"Freedom is a great gift. I want to use this freedom to get to know my family again, to adjust back to living here and to come to terms with my ordeal.

"My thoughts remain with all the prisoners I have left behind."

Hussain thanked those who helped win his release including President Musharraf, Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Prince of Wales and the Muslim Council of Britain.

Originally acquitted of the murder by Pakistan's High Court, an Islamic court sentenced him to death in 1998.

His execution was stayed several times, most recently until the end of this year.

Authorities had hoped a blood-money settlement, permitted under Islamic law, could be reached with the dead man's family.

The family of the victim said on Thursday they were furious the sentence had been commuted and planned to appeal against the decision.