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Better late than never? Close the barn doors now that the horses are out? What a farce. The biggie -- nuke weapons founder -- Khan spreads the nuke tech around profusedly and, in the end, merely apologises. Prison and fines for all small itty bitty players now planned... I do not yet see what America received in the Khan deal in the first place. Can anyone tell me? Pakistan received all the marbles, didn't they?

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Pakistan Parliament tightens grip on nuclear exports
9/14/2004 7:13:00 PM GMT
Islam Online

Pakistan's parliament passed a new law on Tuesday tightening control on the export of nuclear and biological weapons technology and missile delivery systems, in an attempt to stop proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The National Assembly has adopted the bill after rejecting the modifications suggested by the opposition members.

The bill, titled "the Export Control on Goods, Technologies, Material and Equipment related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery Systems Act, 2004," is to be active at once.

The law will be applied to every citizen of Pakistan or a person in the service of Pakistan within and beyond Pakistan, or any Pakistani citizen visiting or working abroad, or any foreign national while in the territories of Pakistan.

"This law provides a framework to deal with sensitive technologies and proliferation," State Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar told the assembly.

"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 President Pervez Musharraf formally signs it. Its passage through the Senate should be a formality given a majority enjoyed by the ruling coalition.

"By adopting this bill, Pakistan would fulfill its international obligation and strengthen its credentials as a responsible nuclear weapon state," the bill said.

Pakistan has admitted that the founder of its nuclear weapons program, Abdul Qadeer Khan, has smuggled nuclear secrets to countries such as North Korea, Libya and Iran.

Khan had previously apologized for his role in the proliferation scandal in February, and currently he is closely guarded at his home in Islamabad.

Musharraf pardoned the famed scientist, who said he and a few associates acted on their own.

The new law includes a prison sentence of up to 14 years or a fine of up to five million rupees ($85,000), or both, for anyone spreading nuclear technology or hardware.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Masood Khan said that the bill combines all existing rules and regulations already in effect.

"The significance of the bill is that it would be adopted by the parliament," he said. "The bill provides a consolidated and a comprehensive legislation, covering all aspects of the export of materials and technologies related to nuclear and biological weapons and their means of delivery… And lays down penalties for violators."

http://www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=4254