Houston, June 28 (IBNS): Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad was detained by immigration authorities at the Houston airport immediately after he arrived there on Wednesday for his alleged links with banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), reported Geo News.

The immigration authorities released the former Pakistan minister after interrogating him for five hours.

According to reports, Rashid was detained for his alleged links with Pakistan-based LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, who is suspected to have masterminded the 2008 attacks in Mumbai.

Rashid was released by the immigration authorities after Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Sherry Rehman urged Pakistani Consulate in Houston to help the leader.

 Pakistan’s Consul General in Houston, Aqil Nadeem, went to the airport and spoke to the immigration authorities on the directions of Rehman.

"Consul General Nadeem’s efforts paid and finally Shaikh Rahid was cleared to leave the airport after five hours of detention," Geo News reported.

Meanwhile, the AML said Ahmad is 'fine' and 'relaxed' and will continue his tour as per schedule.

AML information cell posted on Ahmad's official Facebook page on Thursday evening: "We just talked with AML chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad in Houston about the bad incident happens at Houston airport and told him about love n support of Pakistanis for him,he just said that he is very much fine n relaxed now,n will continue his tour as per schedule,he thanked all the people for their love n support."