17 February 2004	Tuesday	25 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16: PPP's parliamentary leader in the Senate on Monday criticized the government for not taking parliament into confidence over the nuclear proliferation issue and sought clarifications on 21 questions that he had raised.

Initiating debate on 10 identical adjournment motions moved by members of opposition on the nuclear scientists' issue, Raza Rabbani asked why was Dr A.Q. Khan granted pardon in such a haste in February by the president in such haste, when, according to the Foreign Office spokesman, the investigations had not yet been completed.

He also questioned as to why, after the president had announced a seemingly "full and final" pardon to Dr A.Q. Khan on Feb 5, the foreign office appeared to be correcting the impression, announcing that the pardon was conditional, adding whether it was because of the telephone call Gen Musharraf had received from US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Feb 6.

Mr Rabbani asked under what provision of law had Gen Musharraf pardoned Dr Khan, and why had the president emphatically said "no" on Feb 5 to a suggestion regarding handing over documentary evidence gathered against scientists, allowing an independent investigation and bringing Pakistan's weapon programme under the UN supervision.

He pointed out that the foreign office on Feb 7 had, however, stated that data and findings could be shared. He asked if statements made by Dr A.Q. Khan and others would be handed over to the IAEA.

Mr Rabbani asked if the proliferation process dated back to 10 to 15 years ago, why had the US imposed sanctions on the Kahutta Research Laboratories only in 2003.

He said that it had been alleged that Dr Khan and others had acted on financial considerations on the matter of proliferation but Dr Khan, in his televised speech, had said that it was "an error of judgment" made in "good faith." What was the position of the government on this issue.

He asked as to why the FIR, lodged against Dr Khan, had been sealed and was it correct that the security system was independent of KRL control. Mr Rabbani also asked whether it was correct that there was a four-tier security system in place at the KRL under the GHQ and the Inter-Services Intelligence. If yes, then when was the arrangement made.

He also asked as to what extent was the US liaison committee involved in the protection of Pakistan's nuclear assets. And what steps had been taken to assess and prevent future failure of policies in the administration, security and intelligence of the nuclear programme.

Was it correct, he asked, that first reports of financial irregularities in KRL were brought to the notice of the ISI's director-general in 1988 and that successive DG's were kept informed about it.

What steps had the government taken to ensure that the International Atomic Energy Agency and other related agencies acted against other nationals involved in the underground trade of nuclear proliferation.

Had any of the European countries contacted Islamabad to share the information on involvement of Europeans in the nuclear underworld. If yes, then what had been the government's response.

He also asked whether Mr Colin Powell would visit Pakistan to discuss the issue of nuclear proliferation and the pardon granted to Dr Khan in the near future. He also asked if it was correct that Gen Zia and all army chiefs were aware of the achievements of the KRL.

He also asked if it was correct that the country's army chief gave regular strategic guidance, the chief of general staff ironed out significant administrative and financial issues while the DG CD (combat development) coordinated research and development at KRL.

And what was the effect of the IAEA allegations in the face of denials by the governments of Iran, Libya and North Korea, Raza Rabbani asked.

Other speakers included Prof Khurshid Ahmed, Prof Ghafoor Ahmed and Maulana Samiul Haq of the MMA, Farhatullah Babar of the PPP, former federal minister and former ISI chief Javed Ashraf, former information minister Nisar Ali Memon of the PML-Q.