No foreigner to question scientist Khan: Kasuri

Foreign Minister Khurshid said Pak will not let any foreigner question Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Pakistan will not let any foreigner question Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of the country's nuclear bomb who has admitted leaking secrets to states including North Korea, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said on Wednesday.

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"We have refused direct interrogations by anyone. The reason is national sensitivity," Kasuri told a press conference at the end of a three-day visit to Tokyo.

Kasuri said Pakistan had acted against Khan even though the Pakistani opposition had accused the Government of "succumbing to international pressure" against the local hero.

"Actions have been taken (against Khan) and they are very strict. We are prepared... to investigate and share information," Kasuri said.

He noted that Khan, who is effectively under house arrest, had interacted with foreigners when he leaked information of the country's nuclear technology.

"In fact, there were some foreigners involved. Pakistan has taken actions. Other foreigners, we hope actions will be taken against them by their governments," Kasuri said.

Khan, who is credited with making Pakistan a nuclear power, confessed in February 2004 to leaking nuclear know-how to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

Khan was later pardoned by President Pervez Musharraf, who has repeatedly refused to allow the United States or the International Atomic Energy Agency to question him.