ISLAMABAD: Mark Fitzpatrick, an expert on nuclear proliferation, renewed on Thursday fears of Saudi Arabia trying to get nuclear technology from Pakistan, saying retired Pakistani nuclear scientists could be recruited by the Saudis.

“It’s pretty clear that Saudi Arabia may be looking for a nuclear neutraliser with Iran … so some Pakistani retired scientists could be asked for help,” Mr Fitzpatrick, director of the non-proliferation and disarmament programme at the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said at the launching of his book ‘Overcoming Pakistan nuclear dangers’ at the Institute of Strategic Studies.

Mr Fitzpatrick referred to media reports suggesting that Saudi Arabia had financed Pakistan’s nuclear programme at the time of its inception and said that it could have come with implicit or explicit understanding that Pakistani nukes would be used for Saudi defence.

He said Saudis were concerned about Iranian nuclear advancements, but did not have a well-developed infrastructure to start their own.