KARACHI, Dec 20: A local court asked the government on Wednesday to explain why a Pakistani citizen, suspected of having links with Al Qaeda, had been handed over to the United States, a lawyer said.

The suspect, Majid Khan, was arrested in Karachi in March 2003 and later sent to the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, said lawyer Nisar Mujahid, who represents Majid Khan’s wife.

Mr Mujahid said US authorities suspected Mr Khan of having links with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, mastermind of the Sept 11 attacks, who was arrested in Pakistan the same month as Khan and handed over to the United States.

The Sindh High Court, considering a petition filed by Khan’s wife, ordered authorities to explain why he had been handed over to foreign authorities.

“The court has asked the government to respond by Jan 11 and also explain what measures were being taken to bring him back,” Mr Mujahid said.—Reuters