Detentions mark coup anniversary

Kulsoom Sharif waves to supporters: She has been increasingly active

The party of the ousted Pakistan prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, says that more than 300 of its supporters have been detained on the first anniversary of the military coup.

Mr Sharif's wife, Kulsoom, is also under house arrest.

They are not allowing any of us to go out.

Ejaz Shafi of the Pakistan Muslim League

She told the BBC by phone that a large number of police and soldiers had entered the house in Rawalpindi where she was staying, and told her to stay indoors.

Begum Nawaz had been due to address a rally in the capital, Islamabad.

She has been taking an increasingly active role in politics since her husband was jailed for his role in trying to prevent the coup.

The Information Minister, Javed Jabbar, said the restriction was placed on Kulsoom Sharif because she planned to violate the law.

Hundreds of PML activists have been detained

The BBC correspondent in Islamabad says the detentions of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) supporters appears to be an attempt by the military government to prevent demonstrations on the coup's anniversary.

A PML leader in the southern port city of Karachi, Ejaz Shafi, said there had also been detentions there.

He said about 100 people had been detained in the past 24 hours.

"They are not allowing any of us to go out," Mr Shafi said.

The PML said there had still been some sporadic demonstrations against the government throughout the day and they would be meeting soon to discuss their next course of action.

The military government imposed a ban on outdoor meetings earlier this year in a bid to counter moves by Mr Sharif's supporters.

General Musharraf: Defending record

Mr Sharif himself is in prison after receiving two life sentences on charges of hijacking and terrorism in April.

He is also facing a corruption probe, and has been banned from holding political office under a law introduced in August.

Earlier this week, General Pervez Musharraf defended his record in power, saying he was committed to restoring civilian rule.

He also said there were indications the economy was improving.