Pakistan's legendary cricketer and opposition leader Imran Khan, who was charged under the draconian Anti-Terrorism Act, has claimed that his life was in "danger".
In a text message sent to his lawyer in the UK shortly before he was arrested yesterday, Imran Khan said "My life is in danger".
Khan, who had gone underground following imposition of emergency on November 3, emerged from hiding to join a protest rally of students at the Punjab University in Lahore yesterday.
However, he was promptly detained by radical students at the university and subsequently handed over to police.
He was charged under Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act, which includes penalties that can carry the death sentence or life imprisonment.
In the text message, Khan warned that failure by British authorities to prosecute a key London-based ally of Musharraf, Altaf Hussain, could lead to lethal repercussions.
His message to his lawyer, also named Imran Khan, suggested another possible cause for his arrest.
Hussain, the leader of the MQM party, has been accused of a range of criminal acts, including soliciting murder and inciting violence.
A dossier compiled by Khan, the London solicitor and human rights campaigner, on behalf of his namesake has been handed over to Scotland Yard and an investigation is now under way into allegations of money laundering.
Imran Khan said: "Once MQM (Hussain) thinks he is safe then my Karachi workers and my own life will be at great risk."
Members of the MQM are said to work alongside the security forces.
My friends and colleagues may be targeted for our campaign against Altaf Hussain, '' Khan said.
Khan traveled to London in the summer for the prosecution of Altaf Hussain under the UK's anti-terror laws after gunmen opened fire on supporters of Pakistan's sacked Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, sparking a day of violence in May in which over 40 people were killed.
