The Pakistan government on Tuesday said former premier Benazir Bhutto [Images] was placed under house arrest in Lahore [Images] following "credible intelligence reports" that terrorist groups had planned to target her and other top political leaders.

 There were "real" threats to the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairperson, Interior ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema told reporters.

The government could not allow her to be exposed for long periods of time during rallies on security grounds, he said.
Cheema said there were "credible intelligence reports" that extremist and terrorist groups were planning to target her and other top political leaders.

"Exceptional security measures" had been put in place to ward off the threats to Bhutto and ensure her security, he said.
Bhutto was to lead the PPP's "long march" from Lahore to Islamabad on Tuesday to oppose the emergency rule.

Hundreds of policemen surrounded the house where she is staying in Lahore and served a seven-day detention order to her. Cheema said Bhutto was put under house arrest for "purely security grounds".

The government of Punjab province also said that all political rallies and processions are banned under emergency regulations.