Malik Qayyum, who was attorney general under Mr Musharraf, was present in court but did not rise to represent him.

BBC: Musharraf court notice unheeded

One local Shia leader, Qayyum Changezi, told AFP the protesters "will not bury the dead until a targeted operation is launched".

BBC: Angry Hazaras protest in Quetta, 17 Feb

Vinas' friend Qayyum said he learned of the arrest through the grapevine.

CNN: From Long Island to Lahore: The plot to bomb New York