The authorities in Pakistan have arrested the leader of a religious party and charged him with embezzlement and misuse of power.

The arrest of Haji Behram Khan Achakzai, of the Muslim group, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, is said to be the first time a religious leader has been detained since since the military government took power last October.

Mr Achakzai was the irrigation minister in Balochistan province until the military takeover. His party is said to have ties with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan. A BBC correspondent in the region says Mr Achakzai's arrest is likely to dent the clean image which Islamic political parties have enjoyed.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service