Probe of Nuclear Lab Employees Expands

Pakistan has expanded an investigation of its top nuclear weapons lab, detaining at least five scientists and administrators amid allegations that sensitive technology may have spread to Iran, North Korea and Libya.

Information Minister Sheik Rashid Ahmed said that over the last few days, five to seven employees of Khan Research Laboratories had been taken in for questioning. But he said the men were not “necessarily involved in something or have allegations against them.”

Among the detained was Islam ul Haq, who was picked up Saturday as he was dining at the home of Abdul Qadeer Khan, considered the father of Pakistan’s nuclear program. Haq is Khan’s principal staff officer.