RAWALPINDI, Nov 20: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench adjourned on Tuesday hearing in a plea by Rashid Rauf seeking his release from jail. Mr Rauf, a British national of Pakistani origin, is detained under the charges of conspiring to blow up some Trans Atlantic flights in London in August, last year.

Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha of the LHC put off the hearing till December 3.

The petition has been filed by maternal uncle of Rashid saying despite the orders of an anti-terrorism court on November 15 the authorities did not release his nephew. The petitioner also alleged that the government wanted to extradite Rauf to Britain.

Ministries of foreign affairs and interior, through their secretaries, have been made respondents.

He prayed to the court to release his nephew and not to hand him over to Briish authorities until final disposal of the petition.

It may be mentioned here that the ATC ordered the release of the accused after Punjab government withdrew all charges against him.

Later, the Punjab government issued new detention orders against him.

The Islamabad Airport police had arrested Mr Rauf on August 10, 2006 and a case was registered against him under the charges of impersonation, cheating, carrying explosive substance and terrorism.

His family, howerver, claimed that Rauf was arrested from Bahawalpur.