Investigation into the alleged sale of nuclear weapons technology to Iran and Libya has narrowed down to seven suspects, including top scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan who has been removed as government adviser, officials said on Sunday.
Revered as 'father' of the country's and the Islamic world's atomic bomb, Qadeer's removal as adviser to prime minister was a sensitive issue.
President Pervez Musharraf, who has promised to punish anyone who leaked nuclear weapons secrets abroad, has yet to decide whether Khan and others will be put on trial.
"That decision will be taken only when the investigation is complete," Major-General Shaukat Sultan, military spokesman, told Reuters. "If during the investigation anyone is found out, then that person will be looked into. No one is above the law."
He said that investigation would be wound up after of Eid-ul-Azha holidays which end on Wednesday. Musharraf will then address the nation.
Details of Khan's large personal fortune and extravagant lifestyle have been reported in the local press, but many refuse to blame the 69-year-old, saying he was acting at the behest of the military which was desperate to develop an atomic bomb.
Whether the net will widen to include senior military and intelligence officials, who Western diplomats say must have known about Khan's dealings abroad, remains to be seen.
Sultan said there are two retired brigadiers among the seven suspects.
SECURITY ENHANCED: Khan's house in Islamabad is under 24-hour watch, and security has been beefed up since he was sacked on Saturday. "I wouldn't call it house arrest," said Sultan. "He is an important figure and there is a probe going on and he is now one of suspects."
A report in 'The News' daily which suggested that Khan's business interests stretched to Africa also questioned the role of retired General Mirza Aslam Beg, who is not under investigation.
It said Beg had denied two successive prime ministers--Benazir and Nawaz--access to the Khan Research Laboratories uranium enrichment plant near Islamabad. Beg has denied any wrongdoing.
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