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Pak N-scientist Khan `removed` as PM advisor

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Jan 31, IRNA -- Pakistani government on Saturday `removed` 
the founder of Pakistan`s nuclear program, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, from 
his position as a government adviser amid a probe into allegations of 
transfer of nuclear technology, officials said. 
Qadeer Khan was adviser to the prime minister on scientific matters
since his retirement in 2001 as the head of Khan Research 
Laborataries, the country`s top nuclear facility. 
"In the background of the investigations into alleged acts of 
nuclear proliferation by a few individuals and to facilitate those 
investigations in a free and objective manner, Dr A Q Khan, Special 
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Strategic Program with the status 
of a Federal Minister has ceased to hold the office," a notification 
of Cabinet Division issued here said Saturday. 
A government spokesman said yesterday Khan has emerged as the key 
suspect in the investigation, launched in November following 
information provided by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 
An official claimed that Mr Khan was `removed` to facilitate an 
ongoing probe into the issue. 
The decision was made in the meeting of Pakistan`s National Command
Authority, which controls the country`s nuclear assets. President 
General Musharraf chaired the meeting. 
The authority was to discuss how to prevent a repeat of the 
security lapses at the nuclear lab, a government official said, adding
there is no evidence of any proliferation since Musharraf took power 
in October 1999 in a bloodless coup. 
Khan had not been in custody like others but was questioned several
times. 
Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said on Thursday that Qadeer 
Khan was not a suspect in the investigations into the nuclear 
proliferation, reports said. 
However, a government spokesman said on Friday that Qadeer Khan has
emerged as the main suspect. 
Six scientists and security officials from Khan Research 
Laboratories are being questioned. 
President Musharraf and government ministers have said no 
government has ever been involved in transfers of nuclear technology 
to other countries and will take action against those if found guilty.
They said one or two persons have acted for personal greed. 
Pakistan initiated investigation in November after the 
International Atomic Energy Agency sent a letter to the government 
about the involvement of some scientists in proliferation. 
TK/TSH/212 
End