UK 'plot' terror charge dropped

A Pakistani judge has ruled there is not enough
evidence to try a key suspect in an alleged airline bomb plot on
terrorism charges.

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Pakistan has presented Mr Rauf as one of the ringleaders behind the alleged plan to blow up flights out of London.

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But an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi found no
evidence that he had been involved in terrorist activities or that he
belonged to a terrorist organisation.

As well as forgery charges, Mr Rauf has also been charged with carrying explosives.

But his lawyer says police evidence amounts only to bottles of hydrogen peroxide found in his possession.

Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant that can be used for bomb-making if other chemicals are added.

The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the judge's
decision has reinforced the already widespread scepticism there about
the airliner plot.

Several commentators said the threat was deliberately
exaggerated to bolster the anti-terror credentials of Pakistani
President Pervez Musharraf and that it helped to demonise British
Muslims of Pakistani origin.

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The August arrests led to increased airport security around the world, causing major disruption.

Passengers on many flights were forbidden to take liquids aboard aircraft.