Pakistani opposition politician Imran Khan has been arrested after making his first public appearance since emergency rule was declared, police have said.
Pakistani opposition politician Imran Khan has been arrested after making his first public appearance since emergency rule was declared, police have said.
The former cricketer was detained after going to the University of Punjab in Lahore to address a protest by students against President Pervez Musharraf.
The former cricketer was detained after going to the University of Punjab in Lahore to address a protest by students against President Pervez Musharraf.
Mr Khan was initially held for an hour by students from the Jamaat-e-Islami party after a standoff on the campus.
Mr Khan was initially held for an hour by students from the Jamaat-e-Islami party after a standoff on the campus.
On Tuesday, Mr Khan said there should be no negotiations with Gen Musharraf.
On Tuesday, Mr Khan said there should be no negotiations with Gen Musharraf.
Mr Khan joins scores of other more powerful opposition politicians already in custody.
Mr Khan joins scores of other more powerful opposition politicians already in custody.
The former cricketer is well known around the world from his sporting days, but his Tehrik-i-Insaf party has little support in Pakistan.
The former cricketer is well known around the world from his sporting days, but his Tehrik-i-Insaf party has little support in Pakistan.
'House arrest'
'House arrest'
Witnesses said there were chaotic scenes at the university when Mr Khan arrived to try to address a rally of his student supporters on Wednesday morning.
Witnesses said there were chaotic scenes at the university when Mr Khan arrived to try to address a rally of his student supporters on Wednesday morning.
"I hope to start the movement for the restoration of democracy amongst the student community," he had earlier told the BBC.
"I hope to start the movement for the restoration of democracy amongst the student community," he had earlier told the BBC.
There was a detention order against him and they have been served on him - we are going to place him under house arrest Khalid BattiLahore police
There was a detention order against him and they have been served on him - we are going to place him under house arrest Khalid BattiLahore police
"I want the students to be mobilised, as well as the lawyers and the political parties, because it has to be a comprehensive movement against the brute force of a military dictator."
"I want the students to be mobilised, as well as the lawyers and the political parties, because it has to be a comprehensive movement against the brute force of a military dictator."
However, a large group of students from the rival Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami objected to his presence at the university and a standoff developed, according to his spokesman, Seth Niazi.
However, a large group of students from the rival Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami objected to his presence at the university and a standoff developed, according to his spokesman, Seth Niazi.
Mr Niazi said Mr Khan was subsequently locked inside a nearby building for an hour by the rival students before they put him in a van and drove him to police officers waiting at the campus gates.
Mr Niazi said Mr Khan was subsequently locked inside a nearby building for an hour by the rival students before they put him in a van and drove him to police officers waiting at the campus gates.
Hundreds of activists have been arrested under emergency rule
Later, several Lahore police officials confirmed they had taken Mr Khan into custody.
Later, several Lahore police officials confirmed they had taken Mr Khan into custody.
Mr Khan had been in hiding in Lahore for more than a week after escaping from his home when emergency rule was declared by Gen Musharraf.
Mr Khan had been in hiding in Lahore for more than a week after escaping from his home when emergency rule was declared by Gen Musharraf.
On Tuesday, he told the BBC he had agreed with ex-PM Benazir Bhutto, who is under house arrest, that the parliamentary election due to be held by mid-January would be meaningless if the state of emergency was not lifted.
On Tuesday, he told the BBC he had agreed with ex-PM Benazir Bhutto, who is under house arrest, that the parliamentary election due to be held by mid-January would be meaningless if the state of emergency was not lifted.
"I am glad that all the opposition parties have come round to our point of view, which is that there should be no compromise with a military dictator," Mr Khan said.
"I am glad that all the opposition parties have come round to our point of view, which is that there should be no compromise with a military dictator," Mr Khan said.
Earlier, Ms Bhutto called for the president to step down, saying the Pakistani people had lost confidence in his ability to steer the country towards democracy.
Earlier, Ms Bhutto called for the president to step down, saying the Pakistani people had lost confidence in his ability to steer the country towards democracy.
Do you have any questions about the situation in Pakistan? If so send us your queries using the form below. BBC correspondent Barbara Plett will answer a selection of those e-mails sent in and her responses will be published on the website later this week.
Do you have any questions about the situation in Pakistan? If so send us your queries using the form below. BBC correspondent Barbara Plett will answer a selection of those e-mails sent in and her responses will be published on the website later this week.
