Real faces of heroes are being exposed - Hayat

Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said yesterday that the massive probe into the sales of nuclear technology to Iran was in an advanced stage and vowed that any nuclear scientist found guilty of proliferation would face tough legal action regardless of stature.

"Those who have done such a deed have not served Pakistan," Hayat said. "There was a time when they used to call themselves heroes. But now their real faces are being exposed before the nation," he said.

Pakistani government was shaken by allegations from the International Atomic Energy Agency that its scientists helped Iran develop its nuclear programme. Pakistani intelligence officials said that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was among the key suspects along with a few other scientists.

But yesterday Hayat did not name any of the suspects saying that the people should wait for the completion of the investigations.

"The de-briefing of several scientists has been completed while the debriefing of few others is still going on," he said.

"It is a very complicated exercise. You have to establish one link and then the other links are automatically established," he said.

"We are doing a comprehensive investigation to check how far the network of financial benefits goes."

Pakistan detained around a dozen scientists and administrators affiliated with the country's nuclear programme. At least four of them have been freed after debriefing. The investigations created uproar among Islamist parties which are demanding the government to stop tarnishing the image of 'national heroes.'

But Hayat said the nation had a right to see the 'real faces' of these so-called heroes, who compromised the national assets for their personal gains.

When asked about the fate of nuclear scientists involved in the case, including the suspect Abdul Qadeer Khan, Hayat said anyone involved would be held responsible. "We have a clear policy."

"They have given a bad name to the country. It is our national duty to expose them," he said. "We will take legal action against them."

Investigators are tracking the bank accounts of some scientists, intelligence officials said.

Hayat said Pakistan was not the only country in the world whose individuals were suspected of proliferation.

"There are individuals from the other countries also," he said.

"But the focus is on Pakistan alone and it is being made a scapegoat," he said.

"We have started investigations to demonstrate that we are a responsible nation, and we expect the other countries should also do these investigations."

"Pakistan's nuclear programme is only for the country's defence. It is not for proliferation and there is zero per cent chance of any leak in its command and control and check and balance are fully in place."