A provincial government in Pakistan has directed local authorities to ensure the safety of cinemas and video rental shops during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The move, by the Baluchistan government, follows threats of violence against the entertainment businesses by a religious party, Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam.

The party, a member of the provincial coalition government, is reported to have links with the Taliban Islamic movement in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Cinemas in the Baluchistan capital, Quetta, have closed but video shop owners have refused to do so.

There is no law against the businesses operating during Ramadan in Pakistan.