Pakistan's illicit nuclear trade is now coming under the scanner. A leading US thinktank has warned Barack Obama to wake up to Pakistan's nuclear designs before its too late. Research done by the Washington based thinktank -- Institute for Science & International Security -- has marked out Pakistan for indulging in illicit nuclear trafficking.
Obama has been warned that Pakistan is using sophisticated networks to subvert its international obligations on nuclear proliferation. It goes on to say that the onus of stopping Pakistan's illicit nuclear trade rests with the United States.
"Pakistan remains an active procurer of nuclear dual-use goods and utilizes highly sophisticated networks to obtain what it needs. As an ally, the United States should insist that Pakistan stop its illicit nuclear trafficking activities and prove it is truly committed to global non-proliferation norms and laws," says the thinkthank.
In the past, Barack Obama has been warned about Pakistan's nuclear ambitions but all he has said is that the US is keeping watch.
But there are enough reasons to worry over Pakistan's shady deals. First concern is the rogue Pakistani nuclear scientist A Q Khan, who developed Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme. But he is also the man, who is seen as leading an international cartel in trading nuclear secrets and knowhow.
Second concern is the recent case of Pakistani businessman Nadeem Akhtar based in the US. Akhtar has been charged for exporting dual use nuclear applications to nuclear installations in Pakistan.
Obama has been warned that Pakistan is using sophisticated networks to subvert its international obligations on nuclear proliferation. It goes on to say that the onus of stopping Pakistan's illicit nuclear trade rests with the United States.
"Pakistan remains an active procurer of nuclear dual-use goods and utilizes highly sophisticated networks to obtain what it needs. As an ally, the United States should insist that Pakistan stop its illicit nuclear trafficking activities and prove it is truly committed to global non-proliferation norms and laws," says the thinkthank.
In the past, Barack Obama has been warned about Pakistan's nuclear ambitions but all he has said is that the US is keeping watch.
But there are enough reasons to worry over Pakistan's shady deals. First concern is the rogue Pakistani nuclear scientist A Q Khan, who developed Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme. But he is also the man, who is seen as leading an international cartel in trading nuclear secrets and knowhow.
Second concern is the recent case of Pakistani businessman Nadeem Akhtar based in the US. Akhtar has been charged for exporting dual use nuclear applications to nuclear installations in Pakistan.
