The Pakistan cabinet has approved a bill prescribing stringent punishment for nuclear scientists, including 14 years in jail and seizure of assets and properties, if they proliferate sensitive technologies.

The new bill, approved last week by the Cabinet and to be tabled in the National Assembly on June 7, prescribes imprisonment for 14 years along with a fine of Pakistani Rs 5 million for the erring scientists and the staff of the nuclear installations.

It also empowers the government to seize all assets and properties of the accused scientists if found guilty of nuclear exports.

The Pakistan Foreign Affairs Ministry prepared the bill after the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United States voiced their concerns at reports that top nuclear scientist A Q Khan had transferred nuclear technology to Libya, Iran, and North Korea.

The new legislation is aimed at preventing recurrence of such incidents.

More reports from Pakistan