"We take international responsibilities very seriously. Nobody will be spared. Nobody is above the law," Kasuri told a joint news conference with Polish Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz during a two-day visit to Poland.

"And this includes the father of the Pakistani nuclear programme Dr Khan," he said.

"A very strict watch is being kept on him".

Last week, Khan, Pakistan's top nuclear scientist, publicly admitted his role in a black market operation trading in nuclear information with Iran, North Korea and Libya.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, calling Khan a "national hero" for bringing technology for the nuclear bomb to Pakistan, then pardoned him on the federal cabinet's recommendation.

Kasuri said the probe into the sale of nuclear secrets had been launched following information from several countries' intelligence agencies, including that of the United States, and the International Atomic Energy Agency, which had provided the names.

"There were two Pakistanis, one was a businessman, one was a scientist... Then there were three Germans, one Dutch, one Sri Lankan based in Dubai. On the basis of this information we conducted an inquiry which lasted about 70 days in which we arrested 11 people," he said, saying the probe was still ongoing.

He said that among the people under investigation was "Dr Khan's assistant -- very high ranking," he said.

"Out of those people that we are trying there are three security people, including two brigadier generals, one technician and four scientists," he said.

Masuri is paying the first ever visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Poland.

WAR.WIRE