19 September 2004	Sunday	03 Shaban 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: The Senate on Saturday passed the bill to provide for control on export of goods, technologies, material and equipment related to nuclear and biological weapons and their delivery system after a brief debate which was participated only by the opposition members.

The bill bans the export of materials or technology related to nuclear and chemical weapons and its violation will be punishable with up to 14 years in prison, a fine of up to five million rupees and forfeiture of a convict's property and assets.

The bill was okayed by the Senate in Pakistan after the US Congress passed a Pakistan-specific Intelligence Authorization Act 2005 in July, this year, seeking monitoring of Pakistani steps to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them and steps to ensure that its own nuclear weapons are secured.

Taking part in the debate, the opposition members objected to the government's unexplained rush to have the bill passed through parliament. They said the government was in a haste because it wanted to get the bill passed before departure of Gen Pervez Musharraf for the US.

They said Gen Musharraf wanted to score points during his US visit by presenting this law as a gift to his 'masters.'

They lashed out at the government for blindly following the US dictates. They also condemned the government for passing the bill without even waiting for the report of the standing committee.

Parliamentary leader of the People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) Raza Rabbani said the bill had been introduced on the desire of the US and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In fact, he said, the origin of the bill could be traced to Colin Powell's visit to Islamabad on March 17, this year.

The PPP senator said the Foreign Office on March 12 had stated that if Pakistan was recognized as a nuclear power then it would consider to sign the NPT.

Mr Rabbani said the ministry of foreign affairs was not a competent authority to bring this bill as the National Command Authority was under the president.

He questioned whether this law was also applicable on the personnel of armed forces as Army Act provided that such persons would be court marshalled. "Will Dr Qadeer and other officials of the KRL fall within the mischief of this law because Gen Musharraf had already pardoned him on February 5, this year?", he asked.

Prof Ghafoor Ahmed of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) said that Pakistan could not completely satisfy the US despite following all its dictates. "The US will only be satisfied when Pakistan will announce to roll back its nuclear programme," he said.

Sanaullah Baloch of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) regretted that parliament was never taken into confidence on the country's nuclear programme.

He questioned as to why this bill had been placed before parliament, which was not taken into confidence when the nuclear programme was launched and when action was taken against Dr Abdul Qadir Khan and other scientists involved in nuclear proliferation.

Mr Baloch said this law would not help Gen Musharraf present Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state as the world had already declared Pakistan a dangerous place.

He said the world knew that Pakistan was not a responsible state as there was no rule of law and constitution.

MMA Senator Azizullah Satakzai said the nuclear bomb was made for the protection of the people and the country and now the whole nation was being asked to defend the country's nuclear programme.

Pakistan Muslim League-N Senator Sadia Abbasi asked which country of the world had passed such a legislation. "Has India passed this law?", she asked.

PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar said a strong political will was required to take effective steps to check spread of nuclear weapons.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri dispelled the impression that the bill had been moved on the desire of the US.

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