New York: While investigating nuclear scientists on the issue of transfer of nuclear technology to Iran and other countries, Pakistani investigators are glossing over the role that the Army, which had tight control over the programme, might have played, a media report said today (Jan 30, 2004).

For the past week, senior Government and intelligence officials, speaking anonymously, have steadily disclosed details of a deepening inquiry into what seems to have been the transfer of Pakistan's nuclear technology to other countries in late '80s and early 90's, the 'New York Times' said.

Their version of events, expected to be released publicly this weekend, blames the country's nuclear scientists, including Abdul Qadar Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, for selling technology for personal gain.

But, one issue rarely addressed by officials of the military-led Government is the extent to which the inquiry has examined the role Pakistan's powerful military may have played in the sale or sharing of nuclear technology, the report said.

In interviews this week with the 'Times', retired Pakistani civilian and military officials, former American diplomats and proliferation experts said the country's Government appeared to be glossing over evidence that senior military officials might have approved the sales.

More recent reports of proliferation, including allegations that the Governments of President Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto shared nuclear technology with North Korea, are also being given "short shrift", they said.