Few Pak N-scientist may have proliferated: spokesman
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Jan 26, IRNA -- Pakistan said Monday that a small number of nuclear scientists might have been involved in nuclear proliferation. "Investigation into alleged acts of nuclear proliferation for personal gains by a small number of Pakistan scientists is in progress satisfactorily," Information Minister and Cabinet spokesman Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told reporters in Islamabad. "It is important and relevant to emphasize that out of 6,000 scientists who form part of a 60,000 strong work force engaged in strategic weapons` development program, only four scientists are currently under investigation," he said. He added the other three officials being investigated belong to the non-scientific cadre. He also reiterated that Pakistan`s strategic assets are the most valuable possessions for its national defense. "These have been developed over a period of three decades as deterrence following the first Indian nuclear test of 1974," he said. "It has involved an unprecedented national effort and is the result of the sacrifices of millions of Pakistanis." Saying that thousands of Pakistani scientists have given the best years of their lives and all their talent to this pursuit, the spokesman added, "Pakistan, therefore, cannot allow anyone to pass on information relating to any aspect of their development to anyone not involved in the process, let alone to any foreigner. "As has been repeatedly emphasized by the President General Pervez Musharraf and the Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Pakistan is fully committed to nuclear non-proliferation." The minister said Islamabad has always adhered to that policy and will continue to do so in the future. TK/TSH/AH/210 End
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