US apprehensions over 'nuke smuggler' A Q Khan "well placed": Pak official India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Pakistan Planning Commission Chairman Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali has alleged that the disgraced nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan had exported loads of nuclear materials to countries like Iran and Libya through aircrafts. Ali said that US' apprehensions in this regard were well placed. "US apprehensions are well placed. One should not forget what Dr AQ Khan, who is considered a national hero, did by exporting nuclear material to other countries through planes," The Daily Times quoted Ali,as saying. Referring to the wide scale criticism of the Kerry Lugar Bill, he said Washington's apprehensions regarding nuclear proliferation were genuine, given the fact that Dr. Khan has been involved in such nefarious activities in the past. "All those criticising US apprehensions stated in the Kerry-Lugar bill, regarding nuclear proliferation by Pakistan must remember that Washington has the right to be fearful because of his (A Q Khan's) actions in the past," Ali said.