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Pakistani Lawmakers Pass Nuclear Export Controls
The lower house of the Pakistani parliament today passed a bill tightening controls on the export of nuclear and biological weapons technology and missile delivery systems, Reuters reported (see GSN, Sept. 13). “This law provides a framework to deal with sensitive technologies and proliferation,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar said. “Pakistan respects its international obligations as a nuclear-capable state. This bill will further enhance Pakistan’s image as a responsible nuclear state.” The Senate is expected to pass the bill later this week before sending it to President Pervez Musharraf for his signature. The bill’s passage through the upper house, according to Reuters, should be a formality due to the majority status of the ruling coalition. The legislation provides for a prison sentence of up to 14 years or a fine of up to $85,000, or both, for anyone spreading nuclear technology or hardware, Reuters reported. Once enacted, however, it would not apply retroactively to individuals such as former top nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who has admitted to selling nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea (Reuters, Sept. 14).
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