ISLAMABAD, Dec 28: The government on Tuesday issued a passport to Pakistan People's Party leader Asif Ali Zardari and removed his name from the Exit Control List (ECL) to enable him to travel to Dubai to celebrate the new year with his family , Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao told Dawn.

"There is no restriction on him," the minister said. Responding to a question about the return of Mr Zardari, he said there was no 'time bar' on his return. And Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmed announced that the government had also removed the name of Hamza Shahbaz, son of PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif, from the ECL.

Mr Sherpao said Mr Zardari had filed a petition in Sindh High Court for a new passport because his passport which was in government custody for eight years had expired.

"I got my passport back and if get the visa, I will be with my wife for New Year," Mr Zardari told TV channels. Mr Zardari, who spent eight years in jail under different charges till his release on bail last month, termed the latest development a "step in the right direction which will help in political reconciliation".

He said he would be back soon to carry on his struggle for the restoration of democracy. "I am not going into exile. I will be back to carry on my work," he said. Sheikh Rashid said the government's move would help improve the political atmosphere in the country and hoped it would promote an atmosphere of reconciliation.

Replying to a question, he said the decision had been taken at a high-level meeting. Sheikh Rashid hinted that many more steps towards national reconciliation were expected.

DAWN REPORTER IN KARACHI ADDS: Mr Zardari said that getting a passport and free movement was his fundamental right and he would proceed to Dubai along with his children who had arrived in the city a few days ago to take him there.