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US to keep tabs on AQ Khan

Washington: The U.S. has expressed scepticism on commitments made by the Pakistani government over restrictions imposed on the activities of disgraced nuclear scientist AQ Khan after his release from the house arrest, media reports said on Monday.

Dr. Khan (72), who was put under house arrest in 2004 by then President Pervez Musharraf after the scientist conceded having passed nuclear know how to North Korea and Iran, was released by a Pakistani court on Friday.

His release had resulted in sharp reaction across the world with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the White House expressing “concern” over it and the State Department describing him as still a “serious threat” to nuclear proliferation.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Saturday at the Munich security conference that all necessary steps have been taken by his government to ensure that Dr. Khan is not able to resume the spread of nuclear secrets or technology. While the U.S. government welcomed it, The Washington Post on Monday said the U.S. remained sceptical of such a measure by Pakistan and would continue to be watchful about the activities of the Pakistani nuclear scientist.

“The proof is in the pudding,” a U.S. official was quoted as saying by The Post. Washington would be watching carefully to determine whether the restrictions by Pakistan were real, it said. “We’re very concerned,” said the unidentified U.S. official. The official told the paper: “Pakistan has given us some initial commitments but we’re going to be following [the situation] very closely. The important thing is that they know we are still very serious about this individual.” — PTI

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