Pak Assembly passes biological, N-weapons export control bill
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
slamabad, Sept 14, IRNA - Pakistan`s National Assembly on Tuesday passed the "Export Control on Goods, Technologies, Material and Equipment related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery Systems Bill, 2004". The House rejected various amendments proposed by some members. The bill says "the Federal Government shall control export, e-export, transshipment, transit of goods/technologies, material an equipment, subject to the provisions of this Act, which may contribute to the designing". "The Federal Government shall control export, re-export, transshipment, transit of goods / technologies, material an equipment, subject to the provisions of this Act, which may contribute to the designing, development, production, stockpiling, maintenance or use of nuclear and biological weapons and their delivery systems." It also says, "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or prohibit basic scientific research in Pakistan or other peaceful applications or relevant technologies". "Offenses to be tried by a Court of Session: Any person who contravenes any provision, or attempts to committee or abets the commission of an offense, under this Act or any Order, rules and regulations framed thereunder shall be tried by a Court of Session only upon complaint in writing made by an officer of the Federal Government authorized in this behalf by the Federal Government. "Offenses and Penalties: (1) Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or any Order, rules and regulations framed thereunder, or provides false information concerning matters governed by this Act to any of the agencies responsible for administering this Act, shall be guilty for an offense punishable on conviction by imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or with fine not exceeding five million rupees or both, and on conviction offender`s property and assets, wherever they may be, shall be forfeited to the Federal Government. "(2) Any person who attempts to commit or abets the commission of an offense under this Act shall be proceeded against in the manner as if he had committed such an offense. "(3) In case the offense is not serious for criminal proceedings, administrative actions, which may be determined from time to time, shall be taken against the individuals contravening and provision of this Act." Earlier, winding up the debate the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Makhdoom Khusro Bukhtiar said main objective of the bill is to regulate and control export, re-export of nuclear technology. "It also helps prevent transshipment and transit of goods and technologies, material and equipment related to nuclear and biological weapons and missiles capable of delivering such weapons." "By adopting this bill, Pakistan will be able to fulfill its obligations regarding peace and security the world over. Being a responsible State, Pakistan will have more strong and reliable control on its nuclear and biological weapons and missiles system," Bukhtiar said. He said Pakistan has already made legislation regarding chemical weapons fulfilling its responsibilities keeping in view the International Convention on Chemical Weapons. "Pakistan will never compromise on its nuclear program as it ensures balance of power in the region," he added. The bill provides a fourteen-year imprisonment or five million rupees penalty or both for those violating this act. The Bill will now go to the Senate Upper House for its adoption. The opposition members were of the view that they were agreed with the contents of the Bill however they proposed to build a greater consensus on the Bill to make it more vibrant and effective. They said despite differences on various issues, the opposition will always extend its full cooperation to the government on the important national issues. TSH/1430/1412
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