ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: The architect of country's nuclear programme, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, was removed on Saturday as adviser to the prime minister, following allegations of his involvement in the transfer of nuclear technology.

Sources said the decision was taken at a special meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA) presided over by President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

The NCA was informed that the investigations into allegations of nuclear proliferation had nearly concluded and an appropriate action would be taken against those found guilty, said a handout issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

In a separate notification issued by the Cabinet Division it was announced that Dr A.Q. Khan, the special adviser to the prime minister on strategic programme with the status of a federal minister, "has ceased to hold the office in the background of the investigations into alleged acts of nuclear proliferation by a few individuals."

The notification said the decision had been taken to "facilitate" the ongoing "investigations in a free and objective manner."

According to the ISPR handout on the National Command Authority meeting, the NCA dispelled fears in the strongest terms that Pakistan would ever compromise on its nuclear capability. "Far from rollback or freeze, Pakistan would continue to undertake qualitative and, if necessary, quantitative upgrades with the objective of consolidating the national deterrence in line with its minimum deterrence needs."

The NCA was also given an update on the findings of the ongoing debriefing of the KRL officials by the DG of the Strategic Plans Division. The participants reiterated Pakistan's strong resolve and commitment in adherence to international agreements of non-proliferation.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that Pakistan's nuclear capability was solely for the purpose of deterrence of aggression against Pakistan, it fortified national security and it would never be in the national interest to share this technology in whatever form with any other country.

"Pakistan took its international obligations with the utmost seriousness and in this regard, the government condemns and distances itself in categorical terms from individual acts of indiscretion in the past," it said.

The meeting also expressed its complete confidence in the command and control system put in place some years ago and was assured that no such incident had taken place since the establishment of the NCA in February 2000 and there was no chance of such acts taking place in the future.

"The nation should rest assured that the nuclear capability, which enjoys national consensus across the political spectrum, is in safe and professional hands and should not be subjected to political expediency," said the ISPR handout.

The NCA meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat, Defence Minister Rao Sikander Iqbal, Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, chief of the naval staff, chief of the air staff, vice chief of army staff, senior civil and military officials and the KRL chairman.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that Dr Khan's movements and activities in the federal capital are being closely monitored.

When asked whether Dr Khan had been arrested, ISPR Director-General Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan told Dawn that the security for Mr Khan had been enhanced. However, when an attempt was made to contact Dr Khan by telephone at his residence the person who attended the call refused to give any information. "Sorry, I cannot even tell you whether Mr Khan is at home or not," the person said without identifying himself.

Dr Khan, 62, was appointed adviser to the government after he retired as head of the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in March 2001.

At present, the government is holding investigations against six scientists and other officials of the KRL on the charge of transferring nuclear technology to other countries, including Iran and Libya.

Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, while speaking on the floor of Senate in its last session, had disclosed that investigations were being carried on the basis of a letter written to the Pakistan government by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

According to reports that appeared in the press and had not been contradicted so far by the government, the IAEA had written the letter following information provided to it by Iran.