Spreading Nuclear Technology = Heroism?

The government of Pakistan is investigating the possibility that some of its nuclear scientists were paid to transfer nuclear weapons technology to other nations (like Libya). Religious leaders in Pakistan are objecting to this, arguing that such scientists should be treated as heroes, not traitors.

VOA reports:

The Muttahida Majlis-e Amal, known as the MMA, says the scientists and other nuclear officials detained and questioned during the month-long investigation are national heroes... "Only Pakistan is being victimized, since our rulers are in the hands of Americans, and have become stooges for Americans," [Syed Munawar Hasan, the secretary general of the MMA's largest constituent party] said. ... "Without the involvement of [the] army, it is not possible that any scientist on his own, at an individual level, can give any support to any nuclear program in any country," he commented.

The explanation here is rather confused. First it is stated that, according to the MMA, any scientists that transferred nuclear weapons technology for personal gain are heroes. Then Hasan is quoted as objecting to the fact that only Pakistan is conducting such an investigation. Finally, Hasan argues that these scientists couldn't have acted alone. Either the report isn't accurately conveying what is going on or the religious leaders are grasping at straws in an effort to defend the transfer of this technology outside of Pakistan.

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