Pakistan's political opposition stormed out of parliament Friday over government statements that a top Pakistani nuclear scientist provided Iran with centrifuges.

Pakistan's Information Minister acknowledged for the first time Thursday that Abdul Qadeer Khan sold centrifuges to Iran that can be used to process uranium for nuclear weapons.

Opposition lawmakers called the remarks irresponsible and stormed out after the parliament's chairman refused to hold a debate on the issue.

Mr. Khan, known as the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, has been under virtual house arrest after coming under investigation for passing nuclear secrets to Iran, North Korea and Libya.