Father of Pakistan's nuclear program out

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Pakistan has dismissed Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of its nuclear weapons program, as a special advisor to the prime minister, Saturday.

The decision that Qadeer Khan will no longer hold the office of special advisor to the prime minister on "Strategic Programs" was made at a meeting chaired by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, the Voice of America reported.

The decision was taken to facilitate investigation of alleged acts of nuclear proliferation in what it calls "a free and objective manner," a statement by the government said.

A Pakistani investigation is questioning about a dozen scientists and security officers to determine who leaked nuclear secrets following a statement in November of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency, that warned Islamabad of possible nuclear leaks to such countries as Libya and Iran.

Qadeer Khan is considered a national hero in Pakistan for his contribution to the country's atomic-weapons development program and headed it top nuclear facility from 1976 until he retired in 2001 when he was appointed special advisor to the prime minister.

There have been media reports that some officials in Pakistan think Qadeer Khan is the prime suspect in the nuclear investigation, but a top government minister told VOA on the record that Qadeer Khan is not suspected of transferring nuclear secrets to other countries.