World concerned over Qadeer's acquittal, US demands assurance from Pak on scientist's activities

Washington, Feb.7 (ANI): The Islamabad High Court's decision to set free scientist Dr. A.Q.Khan from the charges of nuclear proliferation has raised several eye-brows across the world, as well as fears that the disgraced scientist may once again resume black-marketing of nuclear techniques.

Worried by the acquittal of Khan, Washington has demanded an assurance from Pakistan that he (A.Q.Khan) would not get involved in the illegal trade of nuclear techniques once again.

"As we hear from the government about these reports, obviously the President and this government want assurances that Dr Khan is not involved or engaged in any of the activity that resulted in his house arrest earlier," The Daily Times quoted a statement issued by the White House, as saying.

Top US officials have also shown their concern over the issue.

Alarmed by the decision to release Khan, who had been under house arrest for five years, the US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton termed it as an 'extremely regrettable' and 'unfortunate' decision.

Spokesperson of the State Department Gordon Duguid said despite the acquittal Khan still remains a 'serious proliferation risk'.

"The proliferation support that Khan and his associates provided to Iran and North Korea has had a harmful impact on international security and will for years to come," Duguid added.

France also voiced its concern over the issue and asked Pakistan to assure the international community that the disreputable activities of Khan were completely over.

"We are obviously a little concerned by this decision. We hope that the proliferation activities of Mr. Khan and his network in the past are absolutely over," Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said.

Meanwhile, India also reacted sharply on the issue Deputy External Affairs Minister Anand Sharma saying that Dr Khan's release would be 'detrimental' to global peace and security. (ANI)