IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Feb 8, IRNA -- Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah
Khan Jamali has said that issue of nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer
Khan is now a "settled" one.
Talking briefly to newsmen at Sukkur in Sindh on Sunday the prime
minister said, "there was no justification to continue to play with
this issue".
In reply to a question, he said that Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan was a
Pakistani citizen and "Pakistan has right to decide about his fate".
Jamali said that the strike call given by alliance of Islamic
groups, the MMA on the issue of Dr. A.Q. Khan was "unjustified".
The nationwide strike staged Friday by the religious alliance, the
Muttahida Majlis-e Amal, in response to what it called Pakistani
nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan`s "humiliation" paralyzed normal
life in the port city of Karachi.
Dr. Khan confessed on television on Wednesday that he was involved
in unauthorized transfer of nuclear secrets outside Pakistan. He is
still a hero to many Pakistanis and was pardoned by the President
General Pervez Musharraf on the recommendation of Federal Cabinet.
The MMA condemned the arrests and urged Pakistanis to rally against
the "humiliation" of Dr Khan and other scientists suspected of
involvement in the proliferation.
Reports also said that in many parts of the country the strike call
received mixed response.
Dr Khan, considered the father of Pakistan`s nuclear programme,
made his public confession after meeting President Musharraf.
Dr Khan told the nation he had acted without authorisation and
asked for forgiveness.
A day later, the president pardoned him, a move believed to have
had huge public support and avoided any potential embarrassment to the
government that could result from a trial.
Despite the findings of Pakistan`s inquiry, President Musharraf has
said he will not allow the UN to inspect its nuclear programme.
He said Pakistan would co-operate with the UN atomic watchdog, the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but would not hand over any
documents.
Pakistan began its inquiry into the transfer of secrets late last
year after the UN passed on information.
More than 10 people from the nuclear enrichment facility that Dr
Khan used to run, Khan Research Laboratories, are still being
questioned.
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