Islamabad: Pakistan has arrested a local businessman, believed to be a close associate of the architect of its nuclear programme, A Q Khan, in connection with the probe into the clandestine nuclear sales to Iran, Libya and North Korea by the country's top scientists.

Aizaz Jaffery was under arrest for "quite sometime" and is being investigated because of his links with Khan, Pakistan Defence spokesman Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan told reporters.

Khan had recently confessed transferring nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea and was granted Presidential pardon.

Jaffery, who operates a licensed posh entertainment spot called 'Hot Shots', had always boasted of close contacts with Khan.

Sultan confirmed the report by local daily 'Dawn', which quoted officials as saying that Jaffery had been arrested.

"He was a business partner and an intermediary working for Dr Khan. He worked as an emissary between Dr Khan and Iran," the report said.