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Thursday, 25 October, 2001, 13:02 GMT 14:02 UK
Pakistan holds nuclear scientists
![]() Pakistan's nuclear programme has been controversial
Pakistan is reported to be holding two nuclear scientists over alleged links with Afghanistan's ruling Taleban regime.
Sultan Bashir uddin Mahmood was arrested in Lahore, officials confirmed, and is believed to be in protective custody with fellow nuclear scientist Chaudhry Abdul Majeed and another scientist.
Military spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi told news agency AFP that they were investigating links between the Taleban and a non-governmental organisation engaged in relief work in Afghanistan set up by Mr Mahmood. "Mahmood had been visiting Afghanistan and we are simply investigating the contacts that exist between his relief agency and the Taleban," Mr Qureshi said. "His detention has nothing to do with any nuclear aspect." Contact with family Asim Mahmood, Mr Mahmood's son, said the family did not know on what charges his father had been arrested. He said his father was loyal to Pakistan and had informed his family that he was safe. Energy commission sources told the news agency AP that Mr Mahmood's links with Islamic groups and his pro-Taleban sentiments had drawn scrutiny from Pakistani security agencies.
Mr Mahmood has called for a ceasefire in the American-led attacks in Afghanistan. He was a project director in the lead up to Pakistan's nuclear tests in May 1998 and won the prestigious Sitar-e-Imtiaz civil award for his work. But he resigned after the then government agreed to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which he said would wreck Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme. America led the world in imposing economic and military sanctions on Pakistan and India following their tit-for-tat nuclear tests but withdrew them after Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf agreed to back US-led military action in Afghanistan. Mr Musharraf recently gave an assurance that Pakistan's nuclear assets were "in safe hands". |
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