Pak shared n-tech with Iran,Libya

The report was given to western intelligence agencies after Islamabad refused to produce Khan for questioning,it said.

Pakistan,which used every legal and illegal means to go nuclear,shared its secret atomic technology and equipment with countries like Iran and Libya,says an ISI report,based on disgraced scientist A Q Khans questioning,which was circulated among western intelligence agencies.

It is most unfortunate that these things (transfer of nuclear technology) happened due to the peculiar nature of the circumstances and loose arrangements in those early days and because of the personal obligations of previous governments to these countries, says the undated ISI report obtained and released by Fox News on Sunday.

The report,Fox News said,was based on questioning of A Q Khan and others by the spy agency. The report was given to western intelligence agencies after Islamabad refused to produce Khan for questioning,it said.

In the report,the ISI also conceded that Pakistan used every legal and illegal means to obtain nuclear technology as there was a direct and imminent threat to Pakistans security and existence in the wake of dismemberment of the country in 1971 and after Indian nuclear test in 1974.

Gen Ziaul Haq,the then Pakistan President,had openly proclaimed that beg,borrow or steal was the policy of the day in the light of the imposition of stringent restrictions on any nuclear-related materials and equipment to Pakistan,the ISI said.

The ISI,however,claimed the assistance was given to Iran and Libya in order to maintain friendly relations. It was never seriously believed,it added,that this would lead to anything as they were scientifically and technologically backward countries.

Former army chief Gen Aslam Beg was in favour of close cooperation with Iran in the nuclear field in lieu of financial assistance promised to him towards Pakistans defence budget,the report says.

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Benazir Bhuttos government came under a lot of pressure for cooperation and … KRL (Khan Research Laboratories) gave some drawings and components to Iran for R&D work, it says.

The information given was by no means sufficient to enable Iran to establish even a small pilot plant. The Iranians already had excellent contacts with European suppliers and they also started importing components and equipment through Dubai, the report adds.PTI