LAHORE, Jan 7: Interior minister Faisal Saleh Hayat has said that suspects in the two assassination attempts on President Musharraf have been arrested. Talking to journalists here on Wednesday night at a local hotel , the minister said that he was not in a position to disclose any progress made so far in this connection.

Asked if the arrested people had linked with Al-Qaeda or any other organization, he said that at the moment he was unable to say anything and added the nation would be informed about the facts at an appropriate time. The minister, however, said that the people involved in such activities were defaming Islam instead of serving it. He said they were not on the right path.

Replying to a question, the minister said that action would be taken according to law if India would demand 20 suspect terrorists from Pakistan under deed signed between the two countries in future.

"At the moment Pakistan has not received any request from India to hand over any of terrorists", he said. Asked if he had taken any step to bring Benazir Bhutto back to Pakistan, the minister said it was upto Benazir and added one could only do something for her once she returned. - Sports Correspondent