ISLAMABAD, Jan 18: Five more senior officials of Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) were picked up by an intelligence agency on Saturday night, including Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan's personal secretary, sources close to these officials told Dawn on Sunday.
The sources said the personal secretary of Dr Khan was taken into custody in a raid conducted by the officials of the intelligence agency at the residence of Dr Khan located in sector E-7.
Those who were picked up on Saturday night are: personal secretary to Dr Khan, Major (retired) Islam; former director-general of KRL's science and technology cooperation directorate Dr Nazir, who worked as one of the assistants of Dr Khan; director administration Brig (retired) Tajwar, Dr Saeed and in charge of the KRL sports Mansoor Ahmed.
The intelligence agency's personnel raided the residence of Dr Khan, founder of the country's nuclear programme, and picked up his personnel secretary Major Islam, the sources said.
When contacted, Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) director-general Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan confirmed that some more officials of the KRL had been picked up for 'debriefing'.
The ISPR chief was reluctant to confirm the exact number and names of those who have been 'picked up' to undergo debriefing, saying: "Debriefing of scientists is a normal routine in nuclear states and it does not mean that they are guilty."
The ISPR chief also confirmed that one of the officials was taken into custody from Dr Khan's residence. "Debriefing is an on-going process and, if required, anyone can be sent for it," he added.
He said Pakistan was committed to fulfil international obligations on non-proliferation and would continue to follow these obligations in future. Responding to a question that some of the KRL scientists have still not been released who were picked up for debriefing session over a month ago, the ISPR chief said some times the process of debriefing spans over two to three months.
Foreign office spokesman Masood Khan told Dawn that he would comment on the new developments vis-a-vis the KRL scientists on Monday at his weekly briefing at the foreign office.
"Major Islam was present at the residence of Dr Khan in sector E-7 when he was picked up by Major Arshad of ISI at about 8.30pm," family members of Major Islam told Dawn.
They said the news about Major Islam's detention was conveyed to them by Dr Khan on telephone. "Dr Khan informed us that some officials of the intelligence agency came to his house and asked for Major Islam," the family sources said.
The officials of the raiding team ordered Dr Khan's servant to bring out Major Islam as they already knew that he was inside the house, the sources said.
Meanwhile, both Dr Khan and Major (retired) Islam came out and the raiding team took Major Islam with them in a car. The leader of the raiding team told Dr Khan that they were ordered by a higher authority to conduct the raid.
When contacted, Mr Usman, son of Dr Nazir who was also picked up by the intelligence agency, said six persons came to his house at about 6.30pm and asked for his father to come with them.
"My father told them that he needed to take some clothes and shaving kit with him, but they were very impatient and kept knocking at the door and windows till my father left with them," he added.
He said Dr Nazir had received top civil award of Sitar-i-Imtiaz from the government for his contribution to country's nuclear programme. Dr Nazir was working in the US when he was brought back to the country by Dr Khan to join the nuclear programme.
The family members of Brig (retired) Tajwar, KRL's director administration, and other two officials, Dr Saeed and Mansoor Ahmed, were reluctant to comment on the issue.