Pakistani Government to Introduce Bill Today to Strengthen Nuclear Export Control System

The Pakistani government is set to introduce today legislation that would strengthen the country’s nuclear-related export control system, according to HiPakistan.com (see GSN, May 17).

The bill, prepared by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, would impose penalties of up to 14 years in prison, a fine of more than $85,000 and seizure of all assets and property of any nuclear scientist found guilty of conducting illegal exports. In addition, the bill would impose similar penalties on anyone found guilty of having attempted to conduct or aided in conducting illegal nuclear-related exports, HiPakistan.com reported.

If approved, the legislation could affect top Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who has confessed to transferring nuclear technology to several countries. While Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf pardoned Khan for his activities, government officials have called the pardon “conditional,” according to HiPakistan.com (HiPakistan.com, June 7).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.