Islamabad: Amid possibility of action against Father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb A Q Khan for allegedly proliferating nuclear technology to Iran and Libya, Pakistan Information Minister Shiekh Rashid Ahmad met the scientist at his residence guarded by military intelligence officials and reportedly discussed the results of the probe, which pointed out his involvement.

The meeting last night (Jan 27, 2004) came shortly after President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali reviewed the progress in the investigations and the action to be taken against the two scientists, who have been identified by the investigating agencies.

They also took crucial decisions regarding the safety of Pakistan's nukes. The two leaders refuted speculation that the country's nuclear programme would be capped as a result of international concern over the charges of proliferation of nuclear technology, media reports said today (Jan 28, 2004).

Asserting that the nuclear programme would not be rolled back at any cost, they said action would be taken against proliferators.

Ahmad's meeting with Khan last night is the first official acknowledged meeting between a top Minister and the nuclear scientist ever since the Government instituted an inquiry and questioned him, along with eight scientists and officials connected with country's nuclear institution Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) three months ago.

No details were provided about the outcome of Ahmad's meeting with Khan. The Minister reportedly discussed results of the probe with Khan, which pointed out the scientists' involvement.