KARACHI/ISLAMABAD, 26 January 2004 — At least two unnamed nuclear scientists deposited proceeds from the alleged transfer of secrets to Iran in foreign accounts in Dubai, government sources said.
These accounts were being operated through a Dubai-based bank, which has already provided the required information to Pakistani authorities, they said.
Iranian authorities have confirmed the existence of these bank accounts. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the US government also had the full details of the financial transactions that took place between the Pakistani scientists and their Iranian sources, official sources said.
President Pervez Musharraf has said some individuals were involved in nuclear proliferation, as a probe continues into alleged leaks of nuclear secrets to Iran and Libya.
“It was some individuals who for personal gains were involved in some sort of proliferation,” Musharraf told the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
It is “very sad that any person leaves aside his national interests for some personal gains,” he told the state news agency after talks with US Vice President Dick Cheney in Davos on Saturday.
Pakistani authorities are questioning at least eight scientists and administrators of the key uranium enrichment facility Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in connection with the probe.
The government has said it will take stern action against anyone found guilty of proliferation. The investigation started after the government received a letter in November from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which named some individuals suspected of transferring nuclear know-how to Iran and Libya.
Security sources said Dr. Farooq Mohammad, a director general of KRL in charge of overseas procurement, was one of the key suspects and is known for his close relationship with Qadeer Khan.
Farooq was the first scientist to be detained at the start of the probe. His four KRL colleagues have since been cleared and released.
Qadeer Confined to Islamabad
Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of a Pakistani program that produced the nuclear bomb, has been questioned “many times” in recent weeks and is confined to Islamabad, said an acquaintance who met Khan recently.
“He’s cooperating, but he’s satisfied that he’s done nothing wrong,” said Zahid Malik, author of the book “Islamic Bomb,” which detailed Pakistan’s nuclear program. He said he met Khan on Thursday.
