Washington: The Federal Bureau f Investigation (FBI) secretly arrested a Pakistani man suspected of having close links with al-Qaida terror mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, NBC television reported on August 4.

Uzair Paracha, 23, was arrested four months ago in New York City at the office of the import company where he worked, the report said. The FBI does not know if Paracha is actually linked to the group responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States, it added.

Paracha is being held as a material witness in New York, but could be charged as early as this week with providing material support to al-Qaeda, the report said.

The FBI has no information that he was planning an attack, but officials fear that he could have used his family's clothing company in Pakistan as a cover to smuggle terrorists or weapons into the United States, NBC said.

US officials told the network that Paracha's father was in custody in Pakistan.

ANI