US businessman pleads guilty to exporting prohibited items to Pakistan

E-Paper | February 28, 2026

WASHINGTON: A US businessman has pleaded guilty to exporting products without a licence to atomic and space agencies in Pakistan, violating US federal laws. Imran Khan, 43, faces up to 20 years in prison.

US Attorney for the District of Connecticut Deirdre Daly said that Khan, a resident of North Haven, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty on Saturday in a Hartford federal court to violating US export law.

Court documents and statements show that from 2012 to December 2016, Khan and others were engaged in a scheme to purchase goods that were controlled under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and exported them without a licence to Pakistan, in violation of the EAR.

Suspect Imran Khan faces up to 20 years in prison

Khan conducted business as Brush Locker Tools or as Kauser Enterprises-USA.

When asked by the US manufacturers about the end-user for a product, Khan either informed them that the product would remain in the US, or he completed an end-user certification indicating that the product would not be exported.

After the products were purchased, they were shipped by the manufacturer to Khan’s North Haven residence in Connecticut or to a business owned by him.

“The products were then shipped to Pakistan on behalf of either the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) or the National Institute of Lasers and Optronics (Nilop),” the US Justice Department said. All these organisations listed on the US Department of Commerce Entity List, it added.

“The illegal exportation of sensitive technology to prohibited entities such as PAEC, Suparco and Nilop, poses a significant threat to our national security,” said Leigh-Alistair Barzey, special agent in-charge of the Defence Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Northeast Field Office.

The Justice Department said that Khan never obtained a licence to export any item to the designated entity even though he knew that a licence was required prior to export.

Khan pleaded guilty to one count of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

He admitted that between August 2012 and January 2013, he procured, received and exported to the PAEC an “Alpha Duo Spectrometer” without a licence to do so.

Khan is scheduled to be sentenced by US District Judge Vanessa Bryant in August 2017, at which time he faces a maximum prison term of 20 years.

He has been released on a $100,000 bond since he was arrested in December last year.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2017

Newspaper

Anwar Iqbal is a correspondent for Dawn, based in Washington, DC.

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IMRAN

Jun 05, 2017 09:37am

These people bring down pakistan image in other countries.

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vaqas

Jun 05, 2017 09:43am

I'm shocked! Suparco and paec on the prohibited list? I thought US and Pakistan were the best of friends, chums. Now what does the government do?

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SYAM

Jun 05, 2017 09:53am

Why side route , make agreement with U.S. and import royally.

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Falcon1

Jun 05, 2017 10:15am

Greed can make a man do all sorts of things.

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Khan

Jun 05, 2017 10:51am

A grear sacrifice by Mr. Khan for his motherland. His family should be adequetely compensated by pakistan govt and taken care of extremely well until Mr. Khan is released. Or better still we could bargain him with dr. Afridi. That wouldn't be too bad, wud it.

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SyedChaudhryGangaDinKhan

Jun 05, 2017 11:23am

Well this business man doesn't have to worry about 'roti, kaprha and makan' any more.

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Certified Quatari Letter

Jun 05, 2017 11:32am

We can certify that these things are not happened. Any one who requires such letter ?

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sunny

Jun 05, 2017 12:28pm

Sad. It gives bad name to country

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hedayatullah

Jun 05, 2017 01:32pm

@IMRAN Pakistan image was never up that is already down since its creation sorry to say that

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Sarwat

Jun 05, 2017 01:48pm

Like American government has never done anything illegal ever before. Looking at history, the US government and its agencies are criminals at best.

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Banyan Tree( India)

Jun 05, 2017 01:49pm

So the cat is out of bag.

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Bobby Khan Canada

Jun 05, 2017 01:55pm

Punish the local officers dealing with him. Such people are only giving bad name to Pakistan in addition to what we already have.

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weq

Jun 05, 2017 02:13pm

This man and many others who supply export controlled items to Pakistan defense sector along with those big time users of copyrighted material such as commercial software; must be punished severely. We were the most ethical nation once and we are not cheaters, we must clean our own house for our next generations to breath clean air.

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harry

Jun 05, 2017 02:56pm

@IMRAN What image you are talking about?

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Shobhit

Jun 05, 2017 03:21pm

Just today, I read about the CE 20 Cryogenic Engine that India is going to use to launch GSLV Mk3 which will put payloads upto 4 ton in Space. This is an indigenous engine which India developed after US, France and even Russia failed to give Technology transfer to manufacture this engine, India had to organically develop this engine. Took 13+ years to master this.

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Pakistani

Jun 05, 2017 03:27pm

The question Pakistan needs to ask US is why the institutions that are our national pride are on US's don't-export-to list in the first place? But of course for that we need leaders with guts and self-respect. As for 20 years, typical injustice system at work.

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wasim

Jun 05, 2017 03:27pm

what! so who in pakistan told the americans that he did?

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Sandy

Jun 05, 2017 03:28pm

@vaqas suparco and paec are govt organisations. it was just your government who imported all these things ....hats off pakistani government...

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Adil Jadoon

Jun 05, 2017 03:53pm

Items are probibited not institutions. He needed an export license which he did not get....

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RANJIT

Jun 05, 2017 04:05pm

@Sarwat so he should not be tried and punished? wow - your kind of thinking has led to lawlessness in Pakisitan

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irfan uk

Jun 05, 2017 04:06pm

@IMRAN How does that give Pakistan a bad name? Pakistan imports so many weapons from USA legally like fighter jets and much more. This guy should have obtained a license.

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RANJIT

Jun 05, 2017 04:07pm

@Pakistani when you depend on aid from US no questions are allowed their laws were broken by mr khan he needs to be punished

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M.Saeed

Jun 05, 2017 04:22pm

@vaqas : This is not what appears on its surface. It is clearly a crafted-scripted story only to make Pakistan yield to pressure being applied to drail its fast proceeding tilt towards China in reaction to cold-shoulder it is receiving.

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Mohammad Ali bajwa

Jun 05, 2017 04:43pm

Just to make quick money. He was aware of restrictions on export items.

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@Salman

Jun 05, 2017 04:56pm

@SYAM Because this arrangement serves as a source of earning in both countries.

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Salman Jan

Jun 05, 2017 05:00pm

Alpha Duo Spectrometer is used to detecting disease biomarkers or performing forensic analysis on drugs of abuse, our mass spectrometers give you the resolution, accuracy, sensitivity, and throughput that you need to advance your science. Not sure what other applications of this device and why it would be prohibited ?

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Raja farhat abbas

Jun 05, 2017 05:04pm

@hedayatullah ..Pakistan's image is fine,it (image)only looks bad in the eyes of the people who have hate in their hearts for Pakistan.!!

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Jun 05, 2017 05:37pm

My question to the US authorities: How did the items leave US shores in the first place? Seems the ineptness is in your institutions, procedures and laws. How about fixing the deliberately corrupt US system? E.g. US allows people to easily immigrate illegally - something that the US immigration prohibits and is easily spotted but US law enforcement institutions do not do anything about it? How about charging those corrupt people too?

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Rahman

Jun 05, 2017 06:11pm

Trad should have no retriction

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Bill, Newyork

Jun 05, 2017 06:49pm

A convenient store owner deals with rocket parts would trigger suspicion right away.

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Ali

Jun 05, 2017 06:52pm

@Imran, how he brought down Pakistan's image. This guy helped Pakistan but risking his own freedom. What is the matter with you.

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Ali

Jun 05, 2017 06:56pm

@irfan uk if these items were allowed to be sold to Pakistan why Pakistan would use a middle man.

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r sultan

Jun 05, 2017 07:33pm

Thieving and law breaking must be discouraged, not by the USA authorities but also by our own government. Else credibility, which is already at an all time low, becomes deeply questionable for future legitimate activities.

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Ashar

Jun 05, 2017 07:35pm

@vaqas They are not on the prihibited list but on a list which requires special permission to export stuff to.

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Raja farhat abbas

Jun 05, 2017 07:53pm

@RANJIT ...Keep your snide remarks to yourself Indian!we know how the likes of you feel about us in any case.!!!

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Tolerancepays

Jun 05, 2017 08:08pm

@IMRAN Espionage and so called illegal acquisition of sensitive technology is not something Pakistan alone is accused of. Even global powers like Russia, America and China at one point or an other have often engaged in such activities. The items which Mr Imran admitted to exporting could ultimately be regarded as of national security but they are not. Sensitive technology can not be easily purchased and exported. Truely sensitive technology is kept beyond the dream of developing countries. Mr Imran may or may not get punished there would be reasons for sanctions against Pakistan. Unlike Pakistan hundreds of Indian workers employed by NASA who may be transferring knowledge if not an actual item may be ignored thanks to their country's trade relations.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jun 05, 2017 08:16pm

What a grave tragedy? How can one do import and export business without even knowing the ABC of it?

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Alba

Jun 05, 2017 08:19pm

Pakistani businessmen can do anything they want in Pakistan, but not in the United States.

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Abdul - USA

Jun 05, 2017 08:41pm

Obviously, he was paid handsomely for the exports.

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Man in Mirror

Jun 05, 2017 08:59pm

Tolerancepays - "Even global powers like Russia, America and China at one point or an other have often engaged in such activities. The items which Mr Imran admitted to exporting could ultimately be regarded as of national security but they are not." When one of these countries captures, a spy of the other country - they are punished. So the fate of Mr. Khan will be no different. At least in US, he is getting a fair trial in a civilian court. That is more than what can be said about some other countries.

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Indian

Jun 05, 2017 09:01pm

@Raja farhat abbas good you should know that we aren't the only ones who feel about you this way anymore. Truth will out.

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Wonderful

Jun 05, 2017 09:11pm

@Raja farhat abbas haha... That's the sprit bro. Keep earning same to your country.

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Netjockey

Jun 05, 2017 09:15pm

@Khan he is a criminal damnit. What nonsense about serving the motherland? Then why did he take US citizenship? Should have remained in Pakistan to serve the motherland

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Ghaznavi

Jun 05, 2017 09:23pm

@vaqas "I'm shocked! Suparco and paec on the prohibited list? I thought US and Pakistan were the best of friends, chums. Now what does the government do?" While India enjoys special status. No wonder we are kept held back whereas our existential enemy is given a free hand. So much for our friendship

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Tolerancepays

Jun 06, 2017 12:56am

@vaqas They can be friends if they can benefit financially or on some vital security issues.

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Afzaal

Jun 06, 2017 01:06am

@Falcon1 You mean greed for keeping up with modern defence technology in this context particularly when one lives in a hostile environment. During the Cold War years India benefitted with all sorts of technology including space but in today's age those technologies are prohibitingly expensive particularly for countries who are just emerging from their economic losses because of fighting wars for others.

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Afzaal

Jun 06, 2017 01:52am

@Shobhit India has economic advantage no doubt and thats how it has got away with premier technologies from others despite restrictions. Cold War years were blessing for India when it acquired every possible defence related technology from the then USSR, settalites to launch Vehicles. Yes America opposed the sale of cryo-tech but USSR transferred it too to the Indians albeit secretly thanks to the lure of huge defence sales and stretagic partnership.Indians can not make even a turbine blade which requires much less brains how can they claim on indigenous cryo-techMay be they suddenly found some hidden recipes from ancient Indian days...after all aeroplane was first built by ancient Indian engineers. Launching of heavy space rocket is like imported Maruti car technology being switched through serial experimenting over to manufacturing a heavy load truck.Obviously Indians won't accept the fact that what ever the 3rd world engineers build the ingredients are imported to begin with!!

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Afzaal

Jun 06, 2017 02:07am

@RANJIT Trump has publically told the world how India has been receiving billions of Dollars in aid from rich countries after climate deal !! The bubble has finally burst by no one but by India's best friend to be! Note the word "aid". Indians will try and find some excuse but the genie is out.

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Azam Ali Siddiqui

Jun 06, 2017 08:37am

The strength of a nation depends on its technical competence.Pakistan has to be a continuously improving self reliant technical power.For this they have not to abandon their technical edge.Pakistan language universities in this regard should produce quality people in Trade,Diplomacy and International relations etc etc .We should be quality planner and quality workers.

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Arsalan A Rahim

Jun 06, 2017 12:34pm

This is completely like this and we the 3rd world countries have no other way to actually get these items....I am also a part of a Govt organization and because of this EAR i cant get hands on many items which we really require.....and this has to be done under cover.....I expect GOP to atleast support his family because he got for his country

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Ravi Sankar

Jun 06, 2017 05:10pm

@Afzaal Launching of heavy space rocket is like imported Maruti car technology being switched through serial experimenting over to manufacturing a heavy load truck.Obviously Indians won't accept the fact that what ever the 3rd world engineers build the ingredients are imported to begin with!! I can understand your anguish, but in uncalled for. Try to be bit positive, western countries did benefit a lot from their colonial loot and it's not wrong to extract some from them. After all today's India and Pakistan were both looted by. The British in undivided India. Be glad that your brother and neighbour is achieving something.

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AHAQ

Jun 06, 2017 06:16pm

In business people sometimes think more of profits than laws. He was in the business of making money profits. This is not the first. Previously Indian, Chinese, Iranian, Israeli and Russian have been indicted in similar charges in the US.

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sourav ghosh

Jun 06, 2017 06:36pm

@Raja farhat abbas actually no

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Jun 06, 2017 07:50pm

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad : You make it sound as if he did not know what he was doing, after explicitly agreeing to not export it - nice spin.

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Gp65

Jun 07, 2017 05:56am

@Pakistani These are dual use items and Pakistan is not member of MTCR so it cannot get them. Until last year when India became member, even India could not have got these items.

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nadia

Jun 07, 2017 10:27am

Imran Khan's illegal activities cast doubt on the status of the Suparco and Pk nuclear projects, business, and scientific methods. These mini A.Q. Khans don't help the nation, if its atomic future depends on stealing critical parts. Pk Fed government should have dealt gov--gov with the US and kept the business transparent and paid import duties. Couldn't get them from China--legally?

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