Meanwhile, Pakistan's former ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, has said he feared he would be killed if he leaves his sanctuary in the official residence of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.  

Haqqani said that he has been branded a 'traitor' and a 'Washington lackey' by 'powerful quarters', a reference to the country's powerful ISI intelligence agency.  

He said he now fears he will be murdered like his friend, the late governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, who was shot dead by one of his own security guards last year after being branded a blasphemer.

Haqqani said that he had only left the PM's residence on three occasions, each under heavy security escort. "I'm a guest of the prime minister with whom I have had a long-standing political association. There are clear security concerns given the hysteria generated against me. Staying at the prime minister's house is the safest option."