Islamabad: Investigators have traced foreign bank accounts of two senior Pakistani nuclear scientists, who allegedly received money for passing nuclear technology to Iran, even as the Government ordered all ministries and departments not to invite Dr A Q Khan, the father of the country's atomic bomb, to any official function.

The foreign bank accounts in which the proceeds from the transfer of some nuclear technology to Iran have been deposited were traced back to at least two senior nuclear scientists, unnamed officials were quoted as saying by the local daily 'The News' today (Jan 25, 2004).

These accounts were being operated through a Dubai-based bank, which has already provided the required information to Pakistani authorities.

"It is an open and shut case. Their foreign bank accounts swelled by millions of Dollars as the sensitive information and some hardware reached Iran," one official said.

For investigation and security reasons, the Government sources have not revealed the names of the scientists involved in the deal. Yesterday (Jan 24), the same newspaper hinted at Dr Khan and his close associate Dr M Farooq.

The Government has also instructed all ministries and departments not to invite Dr Khan to any official function, the newspaper said.

The decision to allow Dr Khan to continue as an Adviser to the Prime Minister on Scientific Affairs would be taken by President Pervez Musharraf who returned from Davos today after attending the World Economic Forum.

The Iranian authorities have already confirmed that the foreign bank accounts were being controlled by Pakistani nuclear scientists, the paper said, adding the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the US Government also had the full details of the financial transactions that took place between Pakistani scientists and Iranians.

It was also discovered that one of the Dubai-based undercover companies used by Pakistan's premier nuclear installation, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), to procure equipment worth hundreds of millions of Dollars was being operated by a close relative of a top nuclear scientist.

Pakistani investigators have also unearthed that the same nuclear scientist held tens of millions of Dollars worth of direct and indirect financial and real estate holdings in Pakistan and abroad, mostly in Dubai, the paper said.

In view of the allegations against Dr Khan, the Government has also put off its decision to decorate his wife with one of the highest civil awards of Pakistan.

Officials also questioned a newspaper editor in Islamabad for allegedly running a publicity campaign for which the nuclear scientist had provided funds.

Government sources said the scientist provided money to organise seminars, publish books and posters and create other publicity material lauding his services.

Pakistan officials also probed the scientist's deep relationship with a Dubai-based Pakistani bullion trader and some Karachi-based businessmen.

"It is strange that the scientist was in touch with the Dubai bullion trader on daily basis," the official said.

The businessman too was interrogated by Pakistani officials.