Pakistani police have detained a Muslim activist from the Chinese province of Xinjiang, saying he failed to seek permission for a news conference he held in Islambad.

The man, Abdul Rasul, who's lived in the city for several years, was trying to draw attention to the condition of Muslims in Xinjiang.

He was complaining that it's virtually impossible for them to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform a pilgrimage.

Police sources said Mr Rasul, who describes himself as the chief of foreign affairs for the human rights of the Eastern Turkistan Organisation, would not be charged and would be released shortly.