Eight Pak nuke scientists, officials taken in for questioning

Islamabad, Jan. 19: Stepping up investigations into the allegations of proliferation of nuclear technology, security agencies in Pakistan have questioned eight scientists and their aides and raided the house of father of its nuclear bomb Abdul Qadir Khan.

All the eight, including an aide of Khan, have been linked to Pakistan’s key uranium enrichment facilities Kahuta Research Laboratories and were being "debriefed" in the wake of reports from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

They are being questioned on the allegations of nuclear proliferation to Iran and Libya.

"This does not mean that these persons have been arrested or there is any charge against them. This is an ongoing debriefing session," said information minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Sunday.

Those being debriefed include two former Brigadiers, retired Major Islam ul-Haq, who is Qadir Khan’s principal staff officer, besides three scientists and an official from the administration.

Director-general of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan too, added that nobody had been arrested; rather some persons were called for a debriefing. He added Pakistan was committed to follow international agreements on non-proliferation. (PTI)