February 12, 2009	Thursday	Safar 16, 1430

TANK, Feb 11: A New Zealander was arrested at the Manzai Fort checkpost in South Waziristan on Wednesday. He was taken to Tank police station and handed over to personnel of a secret agency.

Investigators suspect that Mark Taylor may have links with Al Qaeda and Taliban.

Tank’s District Coordination Officer Barkatullah said the foreigner possessed valid documents and “he told us he was going to Wana.

He was in a passenger coach and was detained by paramilitary forces during a routine check at the post.

According to Barkatullah Taylor told police he was going to Waziristan to get married. He said he had four wives, but all of them had died and now he planned to marry a tribal woman.

An official of New Zealand High Commission in Islamabad said that no body by the name of Mark Taylor had got himself registered with the high commission.

He said New Zealand nationals visiting Pakistan were required to get themselves registered with the commission and explain the purpose of their visit to the country and mention places they would be visiting.