Top Pakistani Scientists Had Nuclear Black Market Contacts
VOA News
28 Jan 2004, 21:38 UTC
After two months of investigations, Pakistani officials have concluded that two of the country's most senior nuclear scientists had black market contacts that supplied sensitive technology to Iran and Libya.
Pakistani intelligence officials are quoted as saying the scientists - Abdul Qadeer Khan and Mohammed Farooq - provided the help both directly and through a black market based in the Persian Gulf emirate of Dubai.
Dr. Khan, who is considered the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, and Dr. Farooq were longtime colleagues at the country's premier nuclear weapons facility - A.Q. Khan Research Laboratories.
The Associated Press quotes unnamed officials as saying the two men have failed to account for funds in their personal bank accounts. But both scientists are denying they helped Iran or Libya.
The government probe, under way since last November, was prompted by information from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, has acknowledged that some scientists may have acted for their own personal gain. But he has denied any government involvement and pledged harsh punishment for any person implicated in the scandal.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
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