Extradition proceedings get underway

Islamabad: Pakistan has begun extradition proceedings against a Briton suspected in an alleged plot to blow up trans-Atlantic jetliners, state media reported.

Police arrested Rashid Rauf, a British Muslim of Pakistani origin, in August 2006 on a tip from British authorities and have described him as a key suspect in a plot to blow up jetliners flying from Britain to the United States.

The purported plot prompted a major security alert at airports and increased restrictions on carry-on items.

An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi has ordered Rauf's release after the prosecution withdrew the case against him, his lawyer said on Thursday.

However, Rauf remains in custody and Pakistan has started proceedings to extradite him in response to a British request, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan said.