Holbrooke to raise A Q Khan issue

Washington, Feb. 10 (ANI): The US State Department has said that US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke will speak with the Pakistani authorities about the release of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan from house arrest.

During his visit to Islamabad, Holbrooke is expected to meet President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and senior military commanders.

The US State Department also said that Foreign Ministry officials assured US Ambassador Anne Patterson on Sunday that A Q Khan would not be a future proliferation risk.

Spokesman Robert Wood was quoted by the Daily Times as saying that the US would closely follow Khan's case.

"Pakistan has assured control of at least some of Dr Khan's movements. He said Patterson had been informed that Khan has to notify the government 48 hours in advance before leaving Islamabad," sources said. (ANI)