ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: The Supreme Court Review Board is likely to meet on Saturday to examine the detention of Director General Science and Technology, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Dr Mohammad Farooq, the only scientist under detention for his alleged involvement in the transfer of nuclear technology, an official source told Dawn on Friday.

The review board will comprise two judges of the Supreme Court, Justice Hamid Ali Mirza and Justice Falak Sher, and one judge of the Sindh High Court, Justice Sabeehuddin.

"The Board is likely to decide whether the detention order of Dr Farooq be withdrawn or he should remain under arrest," Hussamul Haque, chairman of what is known as the Khan Release Liaison Committee said. Dr Farooq was detained on Nov 23, 2003 under Security of Pakistan Act 1952 for his alleged involvement in the proliferation of nuclear technology.

In July last year the government had released three officials of the KRL on the recommendations of the review board, -Dr Mohammad Nazir, Director General Science and Technology, Brig (rtd) Sajawal Khan, Director General Maintenance and Construction Division and Major (retd) Islamul Haque, personal staff officer of KRL founder Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

However, they were told that they could be called again any time for further investigations if required. The review board constituted under article 10 (4) of the constitution meets after every 90 days to consider the detention of persons involved in acts prejudicial to a integrity, security, defence or external affairs of Pakistan.

This will be the third such meeting of the review board, which is appointed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan comprising a chairman and two judges as its members to authorize the detention of such persons.