Nuclear smuggling

last updated 8 January 2015

Islamabad

The general who used to head Pakistan’s nuclear program denied this week that he sold nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya, or other countries. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf admitted last week that Pakistani scientists had transferred technology and know-how to other nations, probably for “personal gain.” Retired general Mirza Aslam Beg said he knew of no such transactions. But he also said that if any scientists had sold nuclear technology without his knowledge, they should not be punished. Since India and Israel have nuclear arsenals, he said, Muslim countries must be allowed to pursue nuclear weapons. The Pakistani government condemned the general’s remarks.