This undated handout combo picture shows mugshot photos of arrested US nationals in Sargodha.- AFP photo

LAHORE: A Pakistani prosecutor says his government is seeking life imprisonment for five Americans convicted of plotting terrorist attacks and sentenced each to 10 years in prison.

Rana Bakhtiar, deputy prosecutor general in Punjab, said Tuesday that the Lahore High Court has agreed to take up the request soon.

The court is also scheduled to hear an appeal by the defense for the Americans' convictions to be overturned.

The five young Americans from the Washington, D.C. area were arrested in Sargodha last December and convicted in June.

Prosecutors said evidence proved the men used the Internet to plot attacks and meet militant organisations in Pakistan. Defense lawyers said the evidence was faked and the men were innocent.