A Q Khan remains a proliferation risk, says US

Despite Pakistan re-imposing restrictions on the movement of A Q Khan, the United States today said the maligned nuclear scientist remains a proliferation risk.

"We remain very concerned and we remain in discussion with the Government of Pakistan to clarify what the situation is," the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, P J Crowley said.

Crowley was responding to a question about a Pakistani court this week reimposing restrictions on Khan, which was lifted by it only a week ago.

The United States, which slapped sanctions on Khan and his network of proliferators in January this year, believes that the Pakistani nuclear scientist should be put under house arrest as he was for several years during the Musharraf regime.

Khan is accused of illegally sharing the knowhow of nuclear technology with several rogue states like North Korea.

"Obviously, we are greatly concerned about the proliferation risk that he poses, and we continue to talk to Pakistan about it," Crowley said.