Thursday, January 6 2005 15:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan has barred over a dozen scientists and staff of its nuclear installation Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), who are under investigation for proliferating nuclear technology to other countries, from travelling outside Islamabad without permission.

The Interior Ministry has directed through an order to all the under-investigation KRL officials not to travel to any other city without prior permission from the director-general of security at the KRL.

Fresh orders have been issued to restrict them from moving out of Islamabad, Joint Secretary at the Interior Ministry Tippu Mohabat Khan told the 'The News', adding "It is a usual procedural matter under the Security of Pakistan Act."

The order also included not meeting or exchanging any information with any foreigner. The "suspects" of alleged illicit transfer of nuclear technology have been asked to remain prepared for appearing before the investigation teams, the newspaper said.

Asked whether these restrictions were part of the probe into the disgraced top nuclear scientist A Q Khan, who is under house detention, Interior Secretary Tariq Mahmood said, "The investigation into the Dr A Q Khan issue is a long, legal procedure and an ongoing affair."

Khan is under detention since early last year after his admission that he proliferated nuclear technology to Libya, Iran and North Korea. He was subsequently pardoned by President Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistan Government rejected demands by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to question him.

Instead the Pakistan Government offered to provide the results of its own investigations to IAEA.