Pakistan says scientist gave Iran nuke aid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 11 (UPI) -- Pakistan has admitted that a rogue scientist gave nuclear technology to Iran but insisted the government had nothing to do with it.

It's the first time the Pakistani government has acknowledged that Abdul Qadeer Khan, at the heart of an international nuclear black market investigation, actually gave materials to Iran. However, it has said that his criminal group sold technology and blueprints to several countries.

"Dr Abdul Qadeer gave some centrifuges to Iran," Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the information minister, said. "He helped Iran in his personal capacity and the Pakistan government had nothing to do with it."

Ahmed stuck by Pakistan's insistence that despite his crimes, Khan would never be handed over to a third country for prosecution, The Scotsman said.

Centrifuges are used to enrich uranium, a process that can produce fuel for nuclear reactors that generate electricity but can also make material suitable for atomic warheads.