M A I N   N E W S

AQ Khan is still a threat: US

Washington, September 2
Concerned over a Pakistani court directing authorities not to restrict movements of A Q Khan, the US has insisted that the disgraced nuclear scientist remains a "proliferation risk" and said it had made its views clear to Islamabad.

"Our concerns over the potential for proliferation activities by Mr Khan are well known to the Pakistani government," State Department spokesperson Ian Kelly told reporters here yesterday.

"We believe that he remains a proliferation risk. We are following this closely, and of course, the Pakistani Government, as I say, is well aware of our concerns about Mr Khan," he said.

Kelly was responding to questions about the Lahore High Court on August 28 suspending the "security protocol" accorded by the government to Khan, accused of running a clandestine proliferation network, and directing authorities not to restrict his movements.

Acting on a petition filed by Khan who sought removal of the restrictions on his movements, the Lahore High Court said the scientist is a free man and can go wherever he wants.

Responding to another question, Kelly said Khan's activities are well known.

"We have concerns about them, and we have made those concerns known to the Pakistani government," he said. — PTI