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| 22 January 2004 | Thursday | 29 Ziqa'ad 1424 |
Probe to end soon, says minister
ISLAMABAD, Jan 21: The government said on Wednesday the ongoing interrogation, or 'debriefing', of nuclear scientists and other personnel connected with the country's nuclear programme would be over in the next three to four days.
Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told the Senate no more scientists would be called for 'debriefing', which the government says was being done to meet international concerns about possible transfer of nuclear know-how.
The minister made the statement after senator Mohammad Enver Baig of the PPP sought an explanation about the fate of the scientists picked up for interrogation since late November after a communication from the UN nuclear watchdog, IAEA.
Earlier, relatives of the scientists and others being interrogated demonstrated outside the parliament house. Sheikh Rashid rejected a news report quoted by Mr Baig that some scientists had been shifted to Bagram US base in Afghanistan and said all but one of those taken for debriefing in the first batch had been sent back to their homes.
He did not give their number, though in a statement to the Senate on Monday he had said eight people were being debriefed, including five picked up at the weekend.
He said the 'debriefing' of the remaining people would be over in a couple of days. "Ninety-five per cent of the 'debriefing' has been completed," he said, and added: "This process will conclude in three to four days.... No other scientist is being called."
Sheikh Rashid assured the house there would no "excess" against any person and that relations would be allowed to meet people being debriefed. But he said if "one or two" of them were found responsible for any wrongdoing would have to face law.
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