Freed Pakistan nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan

What kind of ally is Pakistan? SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE — It could be an episode of "24." A rogue bombmaker peddles nuclear weapon technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya. He's caught but then set free in the seething, violent politics of his home country. Pakistani leaders served up the awkward news as a hands-off legal matter and the end of a lengthy court case that began when Khan was arrested in 2004. But it carries another meaning - a very troubling one - for Pakistan's neighbors and allies. Quite simply, the nation isn't a reliable force for peace or stability in a central front of the terrorism fight. Khan was accorded the status of a populist hero, a scientist who gave his country a mighty weapon to hold far-bigger India at bay. When he set up a black market network to sell nuclear supplies to three of the worst countries imaginable, he was given wrist-slap treatment and protected from international investigators. click to read complete article

US attacks nuclear scientist's release FINANCIAL TIMES The US hit out at Pakistan yesterday after Abdul Qadeer Khan, the architect of Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme, was freed after five years of effective house arrest for selling nuclear secrets. Mr Khan was declared to be a free citizen and allowed to move around the country in a brief unexpected order by the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court. "This man remains a serious proliferation risk," said Gordon Duguid, a US state department spokesman. He said Washington was still seeking official confirmation of the decision. "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." click to read complete article

Pakistan nuclear scientist 'free' BBC A court in Pakistan has freed disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan from house arrest. Dr Khan, who has been under tight restrictions since 2004, can now leave home and receive visitors. Dr Khan welcomed the ruling and said he was not bothered what the international community thought of his release. The US has described the move as "unfortunate", with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying she was "very much concerned" by Dr Khan's release. Dr Khan admitted transferring nuclear secrets to other countries in 2004 but was later pardoned by former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. click to read complete article