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Pakistan asked to take back medals conferred on scientists

ISLAMABAD : The families of Pakistan’s detained nuclear scientists have asked the government to take back the medals conferred on them saying that the medals have lost their worth as their loyalty is being questioned in a humiliating manner.

They said that “to them debriefing means harassment” and the on going episode will force the youngsters aspiring to serve the country in the nuclear field to have second thoughts.

They asked the government to make public the reservations if any conveyed by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), adding their family heads were hauled up in a shabby manner as no arrest warrant was produced nor were they informed in advance of any action against them.

The family of Dr Nazeer Ahmad, Chief Engineer of Khan Research Laboratory (KRL), vowed to move court against his illegal arrest, besides appealing to the President and Prime Minister to help end their ordeals.

Usman Ahmad and Saima Adil, children of Dr Nazeer and the family members of Dr Mansoor, Dr Farooq Ahmad and Brig. (Retd) Sajawal held two separate Press conferences here. They said they feel so hapless and find no one who could help them in the release of their detained relatives.

Regretting the method her 55-year old father (Dr Nazir) was picked up by the agencies, Saima Adil said that officials in plain clothes intruded their home and rudely instructed the nuclear scientists to pack up his bag as he is wanted for questioning.

The security officials earlier threatened the guard who tried to prevent their intrusion and even refused to prove their identity, she alleged adding, that they broke the doors and window panes of the house as if they were hunting a wanted criminal.

She lamented the way her father is being paid for his 22-year service to the country in building the nuclear programme, adding that this disturbing episode will leave a negative impact on the coming generations. Saima told a questioner that the Chairman of Kahuta Research Laboratory offered his regrets saying he is in not in a position to help them.

In another Press conference Asim Farooq, the son of Dr Farooq, who was hauled up last November, said the government conferred two medals, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz on his father in recognition of his outstanding performance, saying that the medals should be taken back as they have lost their worth now.

Asim along with his mother and other family members, said that right now they are totally unaware about the whereabouts of his father.

However, declined to confirm the suspicions of a questioner that his father might have been shifted to Bagram, Afghanistan, saying he has no idea adding that the only meeting with his father since his arrest was in a house of some intelligence officials located in G-9/1.

Dr Shafique, son of Brig. (Retd) Sajawal, said that the arrest of his father and his colleagues was totally illegal and the government functionaries have failed to justify as under what law they are detained.

“I asked Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan to reveal under what law they were picked up but he could not satisfy us,” he said. He termed the arrest as kidnaping, saying that they are fighting for the release of the detained scientists without support from any quarter.

“We appeal to the nation and the press to come forward and help us in securing the release of these patriotic who are being punished for serving the country by making its defence impregnable,” he said.

He said that the arrests are being made at a time when Iran and Libya denied the allegations of buying assistance from Pakistani scientists, saying that if the IAEA’s has any reservations it should be made public.

Mrs Mansoor, wife of Dr Mansoor, said, so far the family have not been informed about the whereabouts of the detained scientists and begged the government to provide them with facility at least of making telephonic contact with their detained family members.

To a question whether the detained scientists held secrete contacts or meetings with foreign countries, the family members of the detained officials unanimously said: “No, never".

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	Pakistan asked to take back medals conferred on scientists ISLAMABAD : The families of Pakistan’s detained nuclear scientists have asked the government to take back the medals conferred on them saying that the medals have lost their worth as their loyalty is being questioned in a humiliating manner. They said that “to them debriefing means harassment” and the on going episode will force the youngsters aspiring to serve the country in the nuclear field to have second thoughts. They asked the government to make public the reservations if any conveyed by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), adding their family heads were hauled up in a shabby manner as no arrest warrant was produced nor were they informed in advance of any action against them. The family of Dr Nazeer Ahmad, Chief Engineer of Khan Research Laboratory (KRL), vowed to move court against his illegal arrest, besides appealing to the President and Prime Minister to help end their ordeals. Usman Ahmad and Saima Adil, children of Dr Nazeer and the family members of Dr Mansoor, Dr Farooq Ahmad and Brig. (Retd) Sajawal held two separate Press conferences here. They said they feel so hapless and find no one who could help them in the release of their detained relatives. Regretting the method her 55-year old father (Dr Nazir) was picked up by the agencies, Saima Adil said that officials in plain clothes intruded their home and rudely instructed the nuclear scientists to pack up his bag as he is wanted for questioning. The security officials earlier threatened the guard who tried to prevent their intrusion and even refused to prove their identity, she alleged adding, that they broke the doors and window panes of the house as if they were hunting a wanted criminal. She lamented the way her father is being paid for his 22-year service to the country in building the nuclear programme, adding that this disturbing episode will leave a negative impact on the coming generations. Saima told a questioner that the Chairman of Kahuta Research Laboratory offered his regrets saying he is in not in a position to help them. In another Press conference Asim Farooq, the son of Dr Farooq, who was hauled up last November, said the government conferred two medals, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz on his father in recognition of his outstanding performance, saying that the medals should be taken back as they have lost their worth now. Asim along with his mother and other family members, said that right now they are totally unaware about the whereabouts of his father. However, declined to confirm the suspicions of a questioner that his father might have been shifted to Bagram, Afghanistan, saying he has no idea adding that the only meeting with his father since his arrest was in a house of some intelligence officials located in G-9/1. Dr Shafique, son of Brig. (Retd) Sajawal, said that the arrest of his father and his colleagues was totally illegal and the government functionaries have failed to justify as under what law they are detained. “I asked Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan to reveal under what law they were picked up but he could not satisfy us,” he said. He termed the arrest as kidnaping, saying that they are fighting for the release of the detained scientists without support from any quarter. “We appeal to the nation and the press to come forward and help us in securing the release of these patriotic who are being punished for serving the country by making its defence impregnable,” he said. He said that the arrests are being made at a time when Iran and Libya denied the allegations of buying assistance from Pakistani scientists, saying that if the IAEA’s has any reservations it should be made public. Mrs Mansoor, wife of Dr Mansoor, said, so far the family have not been informed about the whereabouts of the detained scientists and begged the government to provide them with facility at least of making telephonic contact with their detained family members. To a question whether the detained scientists held secrete contacts or meetings with foreign countries, the family members of the detained officials unanimously said: “No, never".
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