27 January 2004	Tuesday	04 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Jan 26: Strict action will be taken, according to the relevant laws, against the scientists who had compromised national interests by getting involved in nuclear proliferation. The names of some of these scientists had been put on the Exit Control List.

The government, on its part, was not involved in leaking sensitive information to other countries. This was stated on Monday by the Federal Interior Minister, Faisal Saleh Hayat, during two informal press briefings, one at the Coast Guards Mess and the other one at the Rangers' Headquarters.

"This is a very sensitive matter. If some of those who were called national heroes have done this and are being exposed, the nation has the right to see true faces of those who have compromised Pakistan's national interest and used its assets for personal gains," said Mr Hayat.

In the Coast Guards Mess when he was asked to comment on the press reports singling out Dr A.Q. Khan over the controversy, the minister neither denied nor confirmed allegations made in them. But he said those responsible for proliferation could not be called patriotic Pakistanis.

Mr Hayat nevertheless emphasized that he would not utter names as the debriefing process was not over yet. When specifically asked whether or not Dr A.Q. Khan could face punitive steps, he replied: "Anyone involved will be held responsible".

Elaborating upon the government's investigations, the minister said: "Debriefing of some (scientists) has been completed while the process is still on with some others. We are trying to corroborate the evidence and establish links between them. This is a very complicated and sensitive matter, therefore, no timeframe can be given".

He said Pakistan's nuclear programme was under an effective command-and-control system and was meant for the country's defence only. "It is in custodial control to the extent that any leakage is merely inconceivable."

Mr Hayat regretted that the focus of the international media was only on Pakistan although individuals and institutions of other countries were also involved in wrongdoing. He pointed out that Iran and Libya had already stated that they did not have any contact on this count with the government of Pakistan.

He reiterated that the government had nothing to do with any leakages that might have taken place. The minister was of the opinion that the ongoing investigations would not affect the Pakistani missile programme as it was an indigenous initiative.

Regarding attempts on President Musharraf's life, the interior minister said these were the work of "very hyper and desperate elements, including sectarian and obscurantist groups" who saw the general as a major obstacle in their path.

He declined to name names of the individuals or groups involved for the time being, owing to some "security reasons". He, however, claimed that a number of individuals had been identified and held.

The interior minister said security measures were "absolutely adequate" and the government was capable of dealing with extremist elements.

Referring to the ongoing operations against such groups in some parts of the country, Mr Hayat said these were continuing for the past two years. "We shall not allow anyone, especially foreign elements, to create instability in Pakistan and the region."

Meanwhile, talking to some journalists in the Rangers' Headquarters after meeting the Director-General Rangers, Major General Javed Zia, he said: "The debriefing session is in an advanced stage. We have found some evidence and whoever brought a bad name to Pakistan for his personal gain will be held accountable as it is our national responsibility to unearth such elements".

Without disclosing anyone's identity, he said: "We have put the names of all those people in the exit control list who we deemed necessary." When asked about Dr A.Q. Khan, Mr Hayat said: "I don't want things to be speculated but whoever found involved in this, will not be spared".

About the possible freezing of the accounts of some scientists in foreign banks, he said whatever steps the government believed necessary were being taken.

Answering a question about the possibility of operations against some seminaries, Mr Hayat said: "Why the madressahs alone? We will go wherever we need to".

Earlier, he was briefed about the Rangers' role in maintaining law and order in the province. The minister appreciated the role of the Rangers personnel in providing security, maintaining law and order, curbing drug trafficking and controlling other criminal activities.