Briton, 70, held by Pakistan as alleged spy

PAKISTANI authorities have held a 70-year-old Briton on suspicion of spying for almost a month in the country's lawless tribal areas.

Nicholas Bain, who claims he is an author researching a book, is being held alongside suspected militants in an overcrowded prison after being found without proper travel documents.

"He had entered Pakistan from Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing. We suspect that he is working for a British intelligence agency," said an official.

He was arrested near Landi Kotal, where a fort guards the historic Khyber Pass, when he was unable to produce valid travel documents, and is being held at Peshawar Central Jail.

The nineteenth century prison was built by the British and today holds almost three times its capacity of 850 prisoners. Dozens were treated for dehydration in July after power cuts and soaring temperatures caused inmates to collapse. Many are suspected insurgents.

Foreigners need special permission from Pakistan's military authorities to enter Khyber and other mountainous tribal regions that border Afghanistan.

Kidnappings and suicide bombings are common despite recent government offensives to drive out insurgents allied to the Pakistan Taleban.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Bain had been arrested on August 28.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family," she said.

Khyber administrator Arshad Khan said Mr Bain would likely be charged with entering the region without permission.