Pakistani MP to be freed

The High Court in the Pakistani city of Lahore has ordered the release of the former leader of the banned Sunni organisation, Sipah-e-Sahaba, and newly elected member of parliament, Maulana Azam Tariq.

He was taken into custody almost a year ago under a public order law, which allows imprisonment for three months without formal charges.

The High Court had allowed the extension of his confinement on three occasions, but refused a request from the provincial government of Punjab for a further extension of three months.

Maulana Azam Tariq is expected to be released from detention on Wednesday.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service