Monday, August 1 2005 19:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: : Pakistan's leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rehman has been detained at Dubai airport by immigration authorities and was being deported.

Rehman, General Secretary of pro-Taliban Islamic alliance Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA) and head of Jamat Ulema Islami (JUI) was held at Dubai last night by immigration officials as his name figures in the black list, Pakistan's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told Geo TV in Islamabad today (Aug 1, 2005).

Rehman was stopped by customs at Dubai airport on arrival as his name reportedly figures in the black list, Rashid said adding, "He is being deported to Pakistan tonight."

JUI's General Secretary Hafeez Ahmed Hussain said he was trying to get in touch with Pakistan Foreign Office and Rehman himself to ascertain the reasons for his detention.

Leaders of the MMA are not being allowed to visit certain countries for their pro-Taliban hardline views as well as policies.

Another MMA leader, Maulana Sami-ul-Haq was prevented by immigration officials in Denmark when he visited along with several Pakistani politicians few months ago to attend a European Union meeting.

This is perhaps the first time that an Islamic country has barred the entry of a Pakistan religious party leader.