2 Retired Nuclear Experts Are Released in Pakistan

Two retired Pakistani nuclear scientists detained on suspicion of links with Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network have been released, the government said Thursday.

Chief government spokesman Gen. Rashid Quereshi confirmed that Sultan Bashir-ud-Din Mehmood and Abdul Majid had been freed, but would not say when.

Both worked for Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Commission until 1999. They were detained last month for questioning. Both had made frequent trips to Afghanistan, government officials said.

The two scientists denied having passed any nuclear secrets to the Taliban or Bin Laden. They said their visits to Afghanistan were in connection with a charity organization that worked with farmers and students.

Neither man has been charged with any offense, and Pakistani officials said there was nothing to suggest that they passed on nuclear information or materials to anyone in Afghanistan.

However, Pakistani officials said the two had met Bin Laden at least twice during visits to Afghanistan’s southern city of Kandahar in connection with the construction of a flour mill.

Pakistan has nuclear weapons and, until the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States, supported Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban movement. The Taliban has harbored Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda network, suspected in the attacks on New York and the Pentagon.

But Pakistan insists it has not leaked nuclear information and says its nuclear weapons remain well protected.