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Pak N-scientists charged with alleged know-how transfer

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 4, IRNA - Pakistani government has formally charged 
nuclear scientists and security officials for alleged transfer of 
nuclear technology to other countries, one of their lawyers said on 
Wednesday. 
"Families received notices from the government Tuesday, saying 
that the nuclear scientists and security officials have been put 
under arrest for three months," Shah Khawar told GEO private 
television. 
Shah said that the scientists have been charged with under 
Security Act of 1952, which deals with defense, external and 
security affairs. 
"The law allows the detained men to have defense lawyer," he 
added. 
The families had challenged detention and the Lahore High 
Court had set February 9 for the government to submit written reply 
about the whereabouts of the scientists and charges against them. 
According to reports, the scientists who have been issued the 
orders included Dr Farooq, Dr Nazir Ahmed, Brigadier Sajawal and 
Major Islam ul-Haq. 
Wife of major Islam has been quoted as saying that Qadeer Khan 
is also among those who have been put under house arrest for three 
months. However, there was no official confirmation. 
Meanwhile, Pakistan`s top nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer 
Khan has denied a claim by a government official that he (Qadeer) 
has admitted leaking nuclear secrets to groups working for foreign 
countries. 
The official told Pakistani journalists on Sunday that Dr Khan 
had confessed to passing on information about nuclear technology in 
the 1980s and 1990s. But leader of Mutahida Majlis-e Amal Qazi 
Hussain Ahmed said Tuesday that Qadeer denied the government claim 
during a telephonic contact with him. 
"Qadeer Khan told me that he has not issued any statement of 
confession," Qazi Hussain said. 
Dr Khan was dismissed as a scientific adviser to the government 
on Saturday - a move that sparked resentment across Pakistan - 
since he is regarded as a national hero for making Pakistan a 
nuclear power. 
The MMA leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed said on Tuesday that President 
Pervez Musharraf is `insulting` scientists under US pressure and 
renewed his call for general strike on February 6 to protest the 
dismissal of Mr Khan. 
Meanwhile, the United states has welcomed the efforts of Pakistan 
government taken against the issue of transfer of atomic technology 
know-how, state APP news agency reported Tuesday. 
US White House Spokesman Richard Boucher reportedly praised 
Pakistan saying that the steps by President Musharraf, like removal of
Dr. Qadeer Khan as adviser to the prime minister, were a manifestation
that Pakistani nation was against the transfer of their nuclear 
technology to any other country. 
TK/TSH/213 
End