December 25, 2003	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 1, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: The government on Wednesday assured Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan that it stood by him in the wake of ongoing investigations following Iran’s report to the International Atomic Energy Agency about its nuclear programme.

“We will always stand beside you firmly. Let us not be daunted by these things that are happening (to you),” the minister in-charge for science and technology Dr Attaur Rehman.

Dr Khan, who made a public appearance as the chief guest on the concluding session of International Seminar on Science and Technology for Socio-Economic Development in OIC countries, made no comments despite persistent questions by mediapersons regarding his “debriefing”.

“No comments,” Dr Khan repeatedly told curious reporters.

He also refused to comment on concerns expressed by Dina Khan, his daughter, in which she had suggested that her father was “being made a scapegoat.”

The minister said: “We are really proud that you are one of us. It’s a privilege to be beside you inspite of all the ups and downs that you have faced during the last two decades and you seem to be facing now.”

Participants of the seminar, including the minister and the country’s leading scientists, gave a standing ovation when Dr Atta looked at Dr Khan and said that these (“questions”) were “Everests” to be conquered and if the life did not have its trials and tribulations it would not be worth living.

In his address, Dr Khan said, “I am extremely sorry I could not come to attend the function yesterday and benefit from the speeches of all the learned participants. But anyway, it’s a great pleasure for me to be with you today on the joint closing session of seminar.”

The country’s leading nuclear scientist said: “I wish I was not an engineer. I should have studied chemistry. I wish I could benefit from all the work he (Dr Atta) has .... published.”

Dr Khan said: “Being an engineer has its own advantages. You do not have to do much. You just have to put a few parts of a machine together and ... and you have done your job. This is how the nuclear programme was done. We just picked up a few pieces ... joined them together (and) it became a centrifuge ... producing enriched uranium and there you have an atom bomb ...”

Chairing a session of the seminar earlier in the day, senator Mushahid Hussain warned about the serious implications of media trial of the country’s nuclear scientists for international considerations.

“Let’s avoid making individuals as scapegoats” the senator said.

“Rather than harassing and hounding scientists because of international considerations, there should be collective responsibility and institutional responsibility,” Mr Mushahid said.