The government has extended by three months the detention of four former officials of Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL), arrested three months ago on suspicion of involvement in nuclear proliferation, sources told Daily Times on Saturday. Hassamul Haq, brother of Maj Islamul Haq, confirmed that he was verbally informed about a three-month extension in the detention of his brother. Maj Haq was the principal secretary to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan when he was arrested on January 17, 2004. Usman Nazir, son of detained nuclear scientist Dr Nazir, also talked about similar verbal reports about an extension in his fatherâs detention. However, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan expressed ignorance of any such extension. âThere is nothing in my knowledge on this matter. We will pass on the information to you as soon as we get it,â he added.
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Former KRL director security Brig (r) Sajawal, and nuclear scientist Dr Farooq, are also in detention. The government recently released three associates of Dr Khan, nuclear scientist Naseemuddin Ahmed, KRL security chief Brig (r) Iqbal Tajwar and businessman Aizaz Jafery. The federal government had issued a written notification on January 31, 2004, that the KRL officials would remain under detention for a period of three months for questioning. âAccording to that notification, the detention period has expired on April 17,â Hassamul Haq said. The case against the detention of the KRL officials is pending in the Supreme Court. |