ISLAMABAD, Feb 6: The opposition Democratic Alliance has decided to raise the issue of scientists' questioning over nuclear proliferation in the forthcoming Senate session on Feb 13, sources told Dawn on Friday.

They said the Democratic Alliance, comprising members of the ARD and other parties in the Senate, had prepared adjournment motions and notices to raise the issue.

The opposition would demand a debate in the Senate as "it is a matter of great concern for people of Pakistan and of national importance".

The motion has been signed by PPP's parliamentary leader Mian Raza Rabbani, PML-N's parliamentary leader Ishaq Dar, PPP Senator Safdar Abbasi and Sanaullah Baloch of the Balochistan National Party.

The opposition would also seek a debate on the statement of International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei in which he had stated that the IAEA had been working with Pakistan to arrest those involved in proliferation. The motion, signed by Mr Rabbani and Mr Dar, says that the house should adjourn normal proceedings to discuss Mr ElBaradei's statement which had appeared in newspapers on Jan 25.

The sources said opposition senators would draw the house's attention to contradictory statements by two ministers. Information Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed had stated on Jan 28 that no scientist had been placed on the exit control list. On the other hand, giving an interview to Voice of America next day, Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat had stated that names of some scientists had been put on the ECL. The opposition would seek to know the actual position, they added.

Talking to Dawn, ARD's parliamentary secretary Izhar Amrohvi said the opposition would make suggestions to the government for handling the issue in a more responsible manner.