Islamabad, Pakistan ? Pakistan is considering a British request for the extradition of Rashid Rauf, who was arrested earlier this month in connection with the alleged plot to blow up U.S.-bound jetliners, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.

Rauf – earlier identified by Pakistan as a “key person” in the plot – was being investigated for alleged links with al-Qaida, in connection with terrorist threats in Britain and in Pakistan, said ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam.

Aiden Liddle, spokesman for the British Embassy, confirmed it had submitted the extradition request, but said it was in connection with a British investigation into a 2002 murder. Rauf moved to Pakistan shortly after his maternal uncle was stabbed to death that year.

Aslam said Pakistan would provide legal assistance to Rauf, a British citizen who also holds Pakistani nationality.

Pakistani officials have said Rauf helped coordinate the alleged plot to bomb trans-Atlantic jetliners that was thwarted in Britain this month, working under an al-Qaida mastermind based in neighboring Afghanistan.