ISLAMABAD, Feb 20: The controversy surrounding the alleged discovery by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of Pakistani centrifuge designs in Libya, said to be wrapped in drycleaner bags, appeared to be deepening further as the bags now appears to be that of an Islamabad tailoring shop.

The Good Looks Fabrics & Tailors, a stockist of clothes located in Melody Market, was a shop frequented by Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. During the second week of February, it was reported by a reputable US paper that the blueprints discovered in Libya were wrapped in plastic bags from an Islamabad dry cleaner which later turned out to be that of GLF Tailors.

The owner of the shop, Salahuddin Abbassi, told Dawn here on Friday that Dr Qadeer was a frequent visitor to his shop till about five years ago, the time corresponding to the occasion of Pakistan going overt with its nuclear capability.

After the nuclear tests in 1998, Dr Khan did not visit the shop, he said. However, a number of people recommended by Dr Khan became my customers, he said. In response to a question if he had any idea how the centrifuge designs ended up in the shopping bags of his shop, he said, "it is not my responsibility what the buyers wrap in the shopping bags once they leave the shop," he said.

A well connected fashion designer exporting to Paris and having business interests in Kuwait who was visiting the shop interjected to say that only yesterday, the former army chief Abdul Waheed Kakar visited the shop as a customer.

Other important dignitaries are also frequent visitors to the shop, he said, adding, clothing for some of President Musharraf's suits was also supplied by the shop.

It was learnt that a photo of Dr Khan which used to adorn the shop was taken off by the staff recently. To a question why the photograph was taken off, Mr Abbasi said, the staff took it off without his knowledge.

"Dr Qadeer is our hero who provided a nuclear deterrent to the country," said the well articulated educated owner of the shop when asked if he still considered Dr Khan to be a hero.

In response to a question if any security officials had investigated or asked questions of any of the staff members of the shop, Mr Abbasi said a person came to the shop about five days ago and asked if Dr Khan was a frequent visitor to the shop.

He said foreign media professionals from two organizations had also interviewed him, one interview taking place in the presence of a politician, Kabir Ali Wasti, who happened to be present there at the time.