Pakistan adopts Bill to control N-exports

Violators would face up to 14 years’ jail and a fine of Rs 5 million ($ 285,000). ‘‘It is an important legislation and will effectively curb any chance of illegal export of any atomic, biological or missile technologies,’’ Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said.

The government said the law was being enacted in line with a United Nations Security Council resolution, passed in April this year, aimed at keeping weapons of mass destruction out of the reach of terrorists and black market traders.

The National Assembly rejected an Opposition demand for debate on the ongoing military operation against Al-Qaeda-linked militants in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

Lower House Speaker Chaudhry Ameer Hussain ruled ‘‘out of order’’ several motions tabled by Opposition MPs from Islamic and secular parties.

Meanwhile, President Pervez Musharraf inaugurated a defence exhibition called Ideas-2004 in Karachi, organised by Pakistan’s defence establishment. Inaugurating the exhibition, Musharraf said Pakistan built its ‘‘arms for peace’’.

‘‘Maintaining conventional and non-conventional weapons are a guarantee for peace in the region. Our arms are for peace,’’ he said.

Observing that sanctions against Pakistan imposed in the past by America and other countries had both negative and positive effects, he said they ‘‘helped us in our indigenisation of weapons production’’ and encouraged the nation ‘‘to maintain a credible deterrence and movement towards self-reliance’’.

Meanwhile, assailants fired rockets at a Pakistani security forces base in Wana, killing a soldier and injuring three others, an official said on condition of anonymity.