The federal government is satisfied that you have been involved in anti-state activities... on behalf of a foreign country or organisation Pakistani Interior Ministry

The court order came after it emerged the suspects were being held under Pakistan's Security Act, which allows detention for up to three months without charge.

The three suspects are foreigners of Pakistani descent, and until now, it was not known where they were being held.

They were among nine people arrested, reportedly with help from the American FBI.

Four of those arrested in Lahore on 19 December, all members of an extended family, were freed.

Two others - including a doctor, Ahmad Javed Khawaja - face charges under Pakistan's anti-terrorism act.

Security

A lawyer who met the three men in the office of the Lahore chief of police said they were tense, but in good health.

He said they were being kept in solitary confinement, and were being interrogated by the FBI as well as Pakistani agencies.

The authorities say the men are involved in anti-state activities.

Many are unhappy at the arrests

The Punjab state advocate-general, Maqbool Elahi Malik, denied the men were being held illegally, as alleged by relatives and lawyers of the detained.

Last week, the Lahore High Court ordered the authorities to produce those detained in court.

The move came after a government lawyer said Umar Karar and Kaiser Ali, both doctors, and their cousin, Mohammad Usman, were being investigated by a federal intelligence agency.

But he did not disclose the agency's name, and nor would he reveal where they were being held.

The arrests, particularly the reported involvement of the FBI in the raid, sparked protests in Pakistan.

Another Lahore doctor, Aamir Aziz, was also held in October for alleged contacts with the Taleban, but later released without charge.

He said the CIA had participated in questioning him.