HYDERABAD, Jan 26: District Council members expressed grave concern over the debriefing of nuclear scientists here on Monday and termed it a conspiracy to roll back the country's nuclear programme while stressing that deserved to be fully respected.

The chair allowed only a few members to discuss the issue after Yusuf Qureshi and Rana Mehmood Ali tabled their identical resolutions which convener Nawab Rashid Ali refused to refer to the house for passage.

Some members differed with the resolution movers in discussing such a sensitive national issue as they thought the house was not competent enough to do so.

In their resolutions, Mr Qureshi and Mr Rana denounced the harassment as well as media trial of the scientists in the name of debriefing and said the government was insulting the scientists by even doubting them of treason while calling for an immediate end to the debriefing sessions.

Accusing the government of harassing the scientists under US pressure, Mr Rana asserted that nuclear assets were symbol of the survival and integrity of the country.

He claimed that if Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was made to face any action, then the entire nation would rise against the rulers while adding that the scientists themselves might leave the country after such humiliating treatment.

Mr Qureshi reminded the government that Dr Khan was endowed with the Civil Award by the government for his services and stressed that the whole exercise was an attempt to make Pakistan roll back its nuclear programme.

However, Rauf Jafri hastened to add that the government was obligated to question the scientists following 9/11 which had changed the entire world scenario.

The convener told the house that such issues were not discussed by way of resolutions as the nation was proud of the scientists for equipping the country with nuclear technology.

He said people should refrain from giving the issue a political colour and added that by holding the debriefings, the government was telling the world that Pakistan was not a 'rogue state'. He, however, maintained that every possible measure should be taken to ensure the dignity and respect of the scientists.