The Senate of Pakistan passed the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention Implementation Bill, which seeks to prohibit the development, production, transportation, import, export, and storage of biological weapons within Pakistan.
According to the provisions of the newly approved legislation, no individual will be allowed to acquire materials or technologies that could be used to manufacture biological weapons. The law also prohibits the possession, transfer, or production of such weapons.
The bill extends its jurisdiction to all Pakistani citizens as well as any individual committing an offence within Pakistan or against the country. It will also apply to foreign nationals present within the territorial boundaries of Pakistan.
Violation of the law—including the development, possession, or transfer of biological weapons—will be punishable by up to 25 years in prison along with a fine of Rs10 million.
The bill allows the Central Authority to grant permission for the use of such materials strictly for peaceful purposes.
