Sydney, May 27: Pakistan accused the Australian government today of holding up the release of an Australian man held without charge in a Karachi jail since January on suspicion of terrorism. Pakistan interior ministry secretary Tasneem Noorani told Australian public radio his government had found no evidence linking the man, Jack Thomas, to terrorism or the al-Qaeda network of Osama bin Laden.

"As far as the government of Pakistan is concerned, he is not required here anymore," Noorani said.

"The Australian government has been asked, if they are interested, they may take his custody and whatever they would like to do. They may want to do it," he said.
Noorani said that Pakistan was unable to simply free Thomas as he did not have a valid visa and could not send him home without Australian involvement.
Thomas, a 29-year-old former taxi driver from Melbourne, converted to Islam and changed his name to "jihad" before allegedly travelling to Afghanistan to train in al-Qaeda terrorist camps.

He arrived in Pakistan about two years ago and was detained by Pakistan's top spy agency on January 4 as he attempted to fly home.
Pakistani officials announced earlier this month that Thomas would be deported soon.

But a spokesman for Australian Attorney-General Daryl W Williams said today that a police investigation into his case was continuing.
Bureau Report