The News: Plot To Blow Up Planes

PLOT TO BLOW UP PLANES

By Faisal Kamal Pasha | Rawalpindi | October 24, 2007

The Lahore High Court (LHC), Rawalpindi Bench, here on Tuesday admitted for hearing the bail application of Rashid Rauf, a British national of Pakistani origin, allegedly involved in conspiring to blow up Trans Atlantic flights in London in August 2006.

The bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Muzammal Khan and Justice Shabbar Raza Rizvi, admitted the bail application of Rashid Rauf for hearing in the second week of November.

Earlier, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Rawalpindi, had rejected the bail application of Rashid Rauf. The Airport Police had arrested him on August 10, 2006, as a key suspect in a plot to blow up airliners going to the United States from London.

Citing lack of evidence, the Anti-Terrorism Court had dropped terrorism charges against Rashid Rauf on December 13, 2006, and referred the case to the civil court. Later, the Rawalpindi Bench of LHC had suspended the decision of the ATC after the Punjab government moved a petition challenging the verdict of the ATC in January 2007 and had referred the case back to the ATC.

According to reports, Rashid Rauf had left Britain for Pakistan in 2002 after murdering his uncle. The British government had sought extradition of Rashid Rauf in the murder case of his uncle, however, the Pakistan government had said that they would consider the matter.