KARACHI, Sept 7: Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was taken to the Aga Khan University Hospital on Thursday night for treatment of prostate cancer. Escorted by government doctors and security personnel, Dr Khan entered the hospital premises at 9.10pm.

A source at the hospital said the scientist was in a safari suit and appeared cheerful. He was accompanied by his wife and daughters, the source said.

The AKU hospital administration and doctors were unaware about the time of arrival of Dr Khan till the last, said a hospital staffer. When asked about the likely period of Dr Khan’s stay at the hospital, he said it was difficult to say anything about that at this stage. He said that Dr Khan’s name had not been listed in the admission register till that time (11pm).

Dr Farhat Abbas, who is being named as the head of the team of oncologists likely to treat and look after the scientist, could not be reached till late night. Sources said that the surgery might take place on Saturday.

Rangers were posted at the main entrance of the hospital and a considerable number of security personnel in civvies were deployed on the premises of the hospital.

Ahmed Hassan adds from Islamabad: Dr Khan was flown out of Islamabad under strict security cover in a special plane which took off at 10am on Thursday, and not on Wednesday as reported by a section of the press.

Meanwhile, ISPR chief and press secretary to the president Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan has said that as desired by Dr Khan he will stay with his sister in Karachi and that all members of his family will be with him.

Talking to Dawn, Gen Sultan expressed displeasure over the way reports about the scientist’s ailment and treatment were published by a section of the press, saying “to say the least all of that was mischievous and figment of mind of the reporter”.