British national in UK plot to bomb planes produced in court: minister

A British national of Pakistani origin, arrested in connection with an alleged plot to bomb planes in Britain, has been produced in a court, Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said on Saturday.

The man, named Rashid Rauf, was picked up in Pakistan's southwest port city Karachi last week.

Sherpao told private ARY TV that Rauf was produced before a magistrate. He did not give any details as to when and where Rauf was produced in the court.

The minister was quoted as saying that investigation process will be carried forward in the light of preliminary investigation.

The British national was among seven people arrested in Pakistan, according to officials.

"Pakistan played a very important role in uncovering and breaking this international terrorist network," said Tasnim Aslam, spokeswoman for the Pakistani Foreign Office.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair called Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday and thanked the president, the government of Pakistan and all others for the valuable help they provided in busting the international terrorist network, Aslam said.

Pakistan has said the UK police operation was closely coordinated with Pakistan and the United States.

Source: Xinhua