DHAKA: A top Pakistani journalist said he has been barred from leaving the country, after he reported a row between military and government officials.

Cyril Almeida said on Twitter that he had been told his name was on the “exit control list”, a border control system.

The row erupted over an article saying the government bluntly warned military chiefs Pakistan faced isolation unless it acted against homegrown militancy, reports the BBC.

The government rejected the report, calling it “a fabricated news story”.

Relations between Pakistan's civilian government and the military have often been tumultuous with three coups since independence.

Nawaz Sharif’s government took office after Pakistan’s first ever civilian transfer of power.

But the timing is sensitive because it comes just weeks after India blamed Pakistan-based militant groups for an attack that killed 18 soldiers in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the deadliest assault on the army there in years.

Pakistan has consistently denied any links to the attack.

BDST: 1553 HRS, OCT 11, 2016
NJ/BD