Describing AQ Khan's release from house arrest "a blow" to global security, an influential lawmaker has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives.
Describing AQ Khan's release from house arrest in Pakistan as "a blow" to global security, an influential lawmaker has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives, saying the disgraced scientist's case should be "a guiding element" in determining US policy towards Islamabad.
"This is a blow to justice and international security," said Republican congressman Ed Royce, who introduced the resolution in the House.
Pakistan's mishandling of the nuclear scientist's case should be a "guiding element in the determination of US policy towards that country, including bilateral assistance," the resolution said.
It condemned Khan's release and declared the nuclear scientist to be a continuing proliferation threat who should be required to give a full accounting of his activities to outsiders.
The resolution introduced on Thursday also declared Pakistan's behaviour as "incompatible" with its status as a "major non-NATO ally" of the US.
"With this move, Pakistan is making it clear that it does not want to be a responsible actor. There is no reason to believe that the AQ Khan network has been put out of business. This cannot go unchallenged," said Royce, a Ranking Member of the Terrorism, Non-proliferation and Trade Subcommittee in the House.
The House should immediately consider the resolution, demonstrating to Islamabad the seriousness of the mistake they have made by releasing Khan, Royce said.
In 2004, Khan confessed to running an illicit nuclear proliferation network, supplying North Korea, Libya, Iran and possibly others with nuclear technologies and designs.
Pakistan has denied permission to the US and IAEA investigators to interview Khan to determine true extent of his activities, according to Royce.
"Khan belongs behind bars, not roaming Pakistan," concluded Royce, who in 2006, as Chair of the Sub-committee on International Terrorism and Non-proliferation, had held the hearing, 'The AQ Khan Network: Case Closed?'
Khan, who was put under house arrest in 2004 by then president Pervez Musharraf, was released by a Pakistani court last week.
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