Pakistan's interior minister confirmed Thursday that authorities imposed a travel ban on a prominent journalist, saying the step was taken after the reporter tried to flee the country.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told reporters that the government was trying to find out who gave "incorrect information" to newsman Cyril Almeida.
In a recent article, Almeida cited unnamed officials as claiming Pakistan's civilian and military leaders were divided on how to tackle militancy. The government quickly dismissed the report, but Almeida's paper, the Dawn, said it stood by the article.
Khan said he expected the investigation of Almeida to be finished in about four days.
The reporter could not immediately be contacted for comment on Khan's claim that he tried to flee the country.