The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench has barred the government from handing over nuclear scientists, suspected of selling technology to Iran and Libya, to the foreign agencies.
The single bench of the august court consisting of Justice Maulvi Anwarul Haq gave these orders during the hearing of an appeal filed by the family of KRL Director General Nazir Ahmed.
The judge ordered the government that while appeals by the families of detained persons were pending in the court the detainees must not be handed over to a foreign agency or to another state.
The court also directed authorities to inform the families about the wellbeing of the detained scientists.
Deputy federal attorney Chaudhry Mohammad Tariq represented the government while Khawar appeared on behalf of the family of KRL Director General Nazir Ahmed.
The Deputy Federal Attorney asked for some time to gather information about the detained scientists.
He told the court that he was unable to determine where the nine scientists under interrogation were being held, despite contacting a range of government departments and intelligence agencies.
At least 13 KRL in-office and former employees have been questioned since December over allegations that they sold nuclear secrets to Iran and Libya. Three have since been cleared and released.
SANA ADDS: The relatives of scientists feared that the detainees would be handed over to the US.
The Pakistan government has said there were no plans for extradition or to involve any foreign investigators.
Family members and supporters of four of the detained scientists and officials were present in the court.
The court adjourned the hearing till January 27.
Later, the families and the lawyers hold protest demonstration in front of the Supreme Court building and condemned the arrest of the scientists.
They appealed to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC) to take Suo moto action on the 'illegal' detentions of the scientists.