ntelligence agents in Pakistan arrested at least seven people, including two British nationals of Pakistani origin, who provided information on the terror plot aimed at blowing up US-bound passenger jets from Britain, a senior government official said today.

Security was tightened across Pakistan today during a strike called by radical Islamic groups to protest against the Prophet Mohammed drawings, with most shops and businesses closed in several cities.

A coalition of radical Islamic parties called for nationwide protests in Pakistan today after police arrested hundreds of religious activists to thwart a weekend rally against Prophet Mohammed cartoons in the eastern city of Lahore.

Police today arrested about 70 people, including clerics and religious school administrators, in the eastern city of Lahore in a bid to prevent an illegal rally against Prophet Muhammad cartoons from going ahead, police said.