“There were some arrests in Pakistan which were coordinated with arrests in the UK,” Tasnim Aslam, a foreign ministry spokeswoman, said. She did not give any further details about the arrests, including the number of suspects, their identities or when they were arrested.

However, a senior government official said that “two or three local people” suspected of involvement in the plot were arrested a few days ago in Lahore and Karachi.

Those arrested had links with al-Qaeda, the terror organisation blamed for the September 11 attacks on the United States, according to a senior Pakistani security official.

Pakistan was yesterday claiming to have played a key role in “uncovering and breaking this international terrorist network”, Ms Aslam added. “Co-operation in this particular case was spread over a period of time.”

A Pakistani intelligence official said an Islamic militant arrested near the Afghan-Pakistan border several weeks ago provided a lead that played a role in unearthing the plot. “The major work was done by the British agents, but they got a major clue from Pakistan,” he said.

Many of those detained in connection with the alleged plot in the UK are believed to be of Pakistani origin and made frequent trips between the two countries.

Britain is understood to have approached intelligence sources in Pakistan weeks ago for information about them. London also asked for assistance in tracking their movements.

It was not clear last night when the suspects last travelled there or whether they had links with Islamic militants.

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